Hepatitis‐Associated Markers in the American Red Cross Blood Donor Population

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Abstract
A total of 20,643 samples of blood donated to three American Red Cross Blood Service regions were tested for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) in order to evaluate and understand its significance and implications. All 20,643 samples were non‐reactive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) when screened at the regions. Overall, 2.2% of all samples were found to have anti‐HBc, and a total of 16 had anti‐HBc in the absence of antibodies to surface antigen (anti‐HBs) activity. 1 of the 16 samples with anti‐HBc in the absence of anti‐HBs was found to have HBsAg when tested by a sensitive procedural modification of the Ausria II test. Samples with low levels of anti‐HBc activity were significantly more likely to be negative for anti‐HBs.