Impact of positive testing for Hepatitis E virus on donor return

Background

Since the introduction of mandatory testing for hepatitis E virus (HEV), blood collection services have been confronted with an increasing number of deferred blood donors due to positive test results, which is assumed to bear a high risk of non-return. Usually it is difficult to measure this effect. However, the possibility of a large number of donors tested positive for HEV and the possibility of donor re-admission after 4 months with a negative test result allow this effect to be measured.

Methods

Until introduction of voluntary HEV genome testing in 2015, all positive tested blood donors were retrospectively investigated regarding their return to blood donation depending on their donor status (first-time or permanent donor, whole blood and/or plasma donor). In total, 731,657 blood donations were screened, including red blood cell, apheresis platelets and therapeutic plasma donations.

Results

In total, 497 donors were tested HEV RNA positive in the period from January 2015 until December 2022. Of these, 58 donors were first-time donors (11.6 %). In total, 339 of the positively tested donors returned for donation (68.2 %). In the group of first-time donors, 19 donors (32.8 %) returned, whereas 320 of the permanent donors (72.9 %) returned. Splitting the permanent donor group into red blood cell or plasma donors, 78.7 % of plasma and 74.8% of red blood cell donors returned.

Conclusion

The HEV deferral resulted in higher non return rates in the group of first time donors compared to permanent donors. No differences were observed among permanent plasma or red blood cell donors. Therefore, it could be assumed that previous positive experiences with blood donation result in a lower deterrence of positive infectious disease testing.

Offenlegung Interessenkonflikt:

No conflict of interest.