Autologous blood donor screening indicated a lower prevalence of viral hepatitis in East vs West Germany: epidemiological benefit from established health resources

Abstract

Prevalence data concerning viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the general population are usually scarce. We aimed for a large cohort representative of the general population that required little funding. Autologous blood donors are relatively representative of the general population, and are tested for viral hepatitis and HIV in many countries. However, frequently these data are not captured for epidemiologic purposes. We analysed data from well over 35,000 autologous blood donors as recorded in 21 different transfusion centres for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV), HBsAg and anti-HIV, as well as TPHA if available. We found a lower prevalence of hepatitis B virus and HCV in East vs West Germany, 0.2%vs 0.32% and 0.16%vs 0.32% respectively, which confirms earlier data in smaller cohorts, thus supporting the value of our approach. HIV was too rare to disclose significant differences, 0.01%vs 0.02%. TPHA was higher in East (0.34%) vs West Germany (0.29%) without significant differences. HCV was more frequent in women vs men. Transfusion institutes managing autologous blood donations should be used as a resource for epidemiological data relating to viral hepatitis and HIV, if such testing is performed routinely. This approach generates data relating to the general population with special emphasis on undiagnosed cases.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B among Pregnant Women and Its Impact on Pregnancy and Newborn Complications at a Tertiary Hospital in the Eastern Part of Germany

“…Two other German studies both performed in the Western part of Germany showed higher prevalences of 1.4% (95% CI 0.84–2.42) and 1.59% (95% CI 1.3–1.96) HBsAg carriers, respectively [2,3]. This difference is however in line with other data regarding differences in the prevalence of HBV in the Western and Eastern part of Germany [1,4]. Importantly, the prevalence of HBV among German-born women was much lower with 0.2%, while it was 9.1% in women born in Asia, in line with the elevated prevalences found in populations of the Far East of up to 10% among all pregnant women [11].…”

“…In Germany the estimated prevalence of chronic hepatitis B is about 0.6%, whereas 7% of the population show markers of a subsided infection [1], with lower rates in the Eastern part versus the Western part of Germany. Furthermore, HBV prevalence is higher in immigrants from high-endemic regions [2,3,4]. In Europe, women are routinely screened for HBsAg during pregnancy.…”

Different patterns of decompensation in patients with alcoholic vs. non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis

“…In Saxony, up to 23% of the general population consume alcohol at a harmful level . In contrast, the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis B and C in Eastern parts of Germany is low, and significant lower than in matched control groups from Western Germany …”

High Prevalence of Anti-HCV Antibodies in Two Metropolitan Emergency Departments in Germany: A Prospective Screening Analysis of 28,809 Patients

“…Recent findings suggest that HCV seroprevalence rates in Germany vary significantly by region, with higher prevalence rates in Western Germany compared to Eastern Germany and in urban versus rural areas [19], [20]. These regional variations may have direct implications for federal and local public health measures regarding prevention and control of HCV infection.…”