Validation of Spiked Postmortem Blood Samples from Cornea Donors on the Abbott ARCHITECT and m2000 Systems for Viral Infections
TRANSFUSION MEDICINE AND HEMOTHERAPY
Authors: Schmack, Ingo; Ballikaya, Seda; Erber, Brigitte; Voehringer, Irina; Burkhardt, Ulrich; Auffarth, Gerd U.; Schnitzler, Paul
Abstract
Background:Transplantation of human corneal tissue is associated with the potential risk of transmittance of viral infections. In accordance with European directives and federal laws, in Germany each tissue donor has to be tested for infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, most of the currently available CE-marked serologic and nucleic acid screening systems are only validated for antemortem blood.Methods:Twenty related and paired ante- and postmortem blood samples from cornea donors were obtained and subsequently analyzed for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B antibody (anti-HBc), anti-HCV, HCV RNA, anti-HIV-1/2, and HIV p24 Ag using Abbott test systems. The sera were also spiked with reference materials in concentrations giving low and high positivity for HBV, HCV, and HIV markers.Results:The spiked ante- and postmortem sera from related donors showed similar results for HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HCV, HCV RNA, anti-HIV, and HIV p24 Ag, indicating a high stability of viral markers in cadaveric specimens. Three cornea donors had a medical history of HBV infection and revealed anti-HBc at similar levels in the ante- and postmortem sera. In addition, there was a single postmortem sample demonstrating a weak signal of anti-HIV-1 and HIV-1 p24 Ag. False-positive or false-negative results were not detected. The results obtained with the Abbott ARCHITECT analyzer and Abbott RealTime HCV PCR showed no significant differences.Conclusion:The analyzed screening assays are suitable for the detection of infectious markers of HBV, HCV, and HIV at similar levels in spiked ante- and postmortem sera from cornea donors.
Prevalence of hepatitis B and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody among people who inject drugs in the Lebanese population
EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN HEALTH JOURNAL
Authors: Abou Rached, Antoine; Nakhoul, Mary; Richa, Carine; Jreij, Afif; Hanna, Pierre Abi; Ammar, Walid
Abstract
Background: People who inject drugs (PWIDs) are prone to a number of blood-borne viral infections. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) constitute an important public health concern in this high risk group. Aims: We aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV antibody among PWIDs in Lebanon. Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study between June 2015 and June 2016 on PWIDs recruited through Lebanese nongovernmental organizations in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The participants were tested for HBs antigen and HCV antibody using rapid test kits. The prevalence of each virus was then calculated. The correlation between both infections and other possible risk factors was also analysed. Results: A total of 250 people were included in our study, of whom 98% were males. Mean age was 31.9 (standard deviation 8.7) years. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV among PWIDs was 1.2% and 15.6%, respectively. Older age, longer duration of drug use and lack of awareness were significantly correlated with a higher rate of HCV infection (P < 0.01). The high rate of needle sharing among our PWIDs significantly affected the prevalence of anti-HCVAb. Conclusion: PWIDs remain the subpopulation most affected with chronic HCV in Lebanon.