Blood donor screening in the Netherlands: Universal anti-HBc screening in combination with HBV nucleic acid amplification testing may allow discontinuation of hepatitis B virus antigen testing.
Thijs J van de LaarBoris M HogemaMarijke W Molenaar-de BackerTanneke Marijt-van der KreekHans L ZaaijerPublished in: Transfusion (2021)
HBV donor screening could be limited to MP-NAT and anti-HBc screening. MP-NAT and anti-HBc improved blood safety by intercepting infectious donations from donors with recent infection or OBI, while HBsAg did not. Unnecessary donor loss related to anti-HBc screening is substantial but does not endanger the continuity of the blood supply.