Analyses of blood donor samples from eight provinces in Lao PDR suggest considerable variation concerning HBV exposure and carriage.
Phonethipsavanh NouanthongLisa HefeleJerapha KeokhamphueVonhphet SorrasinVilaysone KhounvisithChanthala SouksakhonePrapan JutavijittumClaude P MullerAntony P BlackJudith M HübschenPublished in: PloS one (2021)
In conclusion, our study confirmed an overall high HBsAg and anti-HBc prevalence in Lao PDR, albeit with considerable regional variation. The identification of a sizeable number of HBsAg positives among repeat donors warrants a thorough investigation of current blood screening, record keeping, donor identification and counselling practises.