REF.: the biological meaning of anti-HBc positive result in blood donors: relation to HBV-DNA and to other serological markers

CORRESPONDENCE

REF.: The biological meaning of anti-HBc positive result in blood donors: relation to HBV-DNA and to other serological markers

São Paulo, December 2, 2003

Dear Editor,

In the original article "The biological meaning of anti-HBc positive result in blood donors: relation to HBV-DNA and to other serological markers" published in May-June 2003², the authors stated that "a recent study shows a high prevalence of anti-HBc (16%) in blood donors" and referred our paper (ALMEIDA NETO et al., 2001)¹. Actually, we have not studied the prevalence of this marker in blood donors. We did find 16% of false-positive results after retesting 112 isolated anti-HBc seropositive blood donors.

Thanks for your attention,

Cesar de ALMEIDA NETO, MD

Fundação Pró Sangue - Hemocentro de S. Paulo

e-mail: [e-mail]

REFERENCES

1. ALMEIDA NETO, C.; STRAUSS, E.; SABINO, E.C.; SUCUPIRA, M.C.A. & CHAMONE, D.A.F. - Significance of isolated hepatitis B core antibody in blood donors from São Paulo. Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo, 43: 203-208, 2001.

2. ARRAES, L.C.; XIMENES, R.; ANDRIEU, J.-M. et al. - The biological meaning of anti-HBc positive result in blood donors: relation to HBV-DNA and to other serological markers. Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo, 45: 137-140, 2003.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  05 May 2004
• Date of issue
  Apr 2004