Infection Mechanism and Detection of Occult Hepatitis B Virus in Voluntary Blood Donors

Pei LIU; Boyu ZHANG; Wei LI; Youbin DUAN

doi:10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20251017

Volume 46 Issue 10

Oct. 2025

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Pei LIU, Boyu ZHANG, Wei LI, Youbin DUAN. Infection Mechanism and Detection of Occult Hepatitis B Virus in Voluntary Blood Donors[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University, 2025, 46(10): 137-144. doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20251017

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Pei LIU, Boyu ZHANG, Wei LI, Youbin DUAN. Infection Mechanism and Detection of Occult Hepatitis B Virus in Voluntary Blood Donors[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University, 2025, 46(10): 137-144. doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20251017

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Infection Mechanism and Detection of Occult Hepatitis B Virus in Voluntary Blood Donors

doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20251017

Pei LIU^1
,,
Boyu ZHANG²,
Wei LI^{3
,
,},
Youbin DUAN^{4
,
,}

1.
Blood Bank，Yunnan Kunming Blood Center，Kunming Yunnan 650500
2.
School of Basic Medicine，Kunming Medical University，Kunming Yunnan 650500
3.
Blood Transfusion Department，The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University，Kunming Yunnan 650101
4.
Laboratory Department，Yunnan Kunming Blood Center，Kunming Yunnan 650500，China

Received Date: 2025-05-15
Available Online: 2025-10-02
Publish Date: 2025-10-28

Abstract

Abstract

The risk of post-transfusion hepatitis （PTH） primarily stems from blood transfusion containing HBV-infected blood that is HBsAg-negative, specifically during the serological window period （WP） and occult HBV infection （OBI）. OBI is a low viral replication form of HBV, making it a challenge in hepatitis B virus infection prevention and control, and a significant transmission source of post-transfusion hepatitis. Although nucleic acid testing （NAT） can reduce the occurrence of post-transfusion hepatitis to some extent, some OBI-infected individuals exist among blood donors, representing a potential risk of HBV transmission through blood. This article primarily summarizes an overview of OBI's concept, serological characteristics, genomic features, pathogenesis mechanisms, epidemiological characteristics, and advances in detection strategies, to provide theoretical basis for the collection, quality control and safe use of blood products for the OBI population.
- Voluntary blood donors,
- Blood transfusion safety,
- Occult hepatitis B,
- High-throughput sequencing

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References(60)

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