HEPATITIS TESTING

There has been remarkable progress in hepatitis testing in recent years. This article reviews the transmission of Hepatitis A by blood products indicating that it is a rare event. However, it has been recently observed with certain preparations of Factor VIII concentrate. Hepatitis B transmission has been effectively reduced by the application of HBsAg screening tests, and screening for antibodies to HBcAb. Hepatitis C transmission has been substantially reduced by the used of the second generation tests for antibodies to HCV. A new generation of screening tests for HCV is expected to be licensed for use in the United States in the near future, and should further reduce the risk of transmission of HCV. At the present time, the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis in hospitalized patients is indistinguishable from the incidence of hepatitis among patients who did not receive blood transfusion.