Prevalence of some markers of the hepatitis B virus in a blood donor population.

Investigations were made for anti-HBs and anti-HBe antibodies, markers of hepatitis B virus, in a population of HBsAg negative blood donors, but exhibiting high serum transaminase (ALT) values. 25.9% of this population was found to be positive for at least one type of marker antibody. The samples found to be positive only for anti-HBe were examined for anti-HBc antibodies. These donors were re-examined over a period of time until the anti-HBs antibodies disappeared. Further studies will have to be carried out in order to verify whether those samples of blood found to be positive for anti-HBc and/or anti-HBe are really infecting. The advisability of a systematic ALT activity check in all blood donors is stressed.