Posttransfusion hepatitis: a persistent problem.

Between 1977-84 the reported frequency of clinically evident posttransfusion hepatitis has halved both nationally and in the Auckland region. This is mainly due to a decrease in the frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis B coincident with widespread introduction of sensitive screening tests for HBsAg. About half the cases of transfusion induced hepatitis are now classified as non A non B hepatitis. A further fall in the reported frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis occurred in 1985-86. Possible strategies to further reduce the low frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis in New Zealand are discussed. Although the problem of clinical posttransfusion hepatitis B or non B appears small, the need to report all such cases and to utilise blood and blood products with care is emphasised.