Post-transfusion Hepatitis

PTH = hepatitis (or seropositivity without symptoms) in a recipient after transfusion/blood products. A/E are enteric, not chronic, rarely PTH. B/C/D/G are blood-borne and chronic. HDV is a defective RNA virus requiring HBV helper. Modern screening has made PTH-B rare; >90% of current PTH is HCV.

Common Symptoms

Guo Ronghua; liver-qi invading spleen; vomiting; fatigue; nausea; liver pain

Causes and Pathogenesis

(1) PTH-B: HBsAg screening by EIA has greatly reduced but not eliminated PTH-B. (2) PTH-C: NANBH split into HCV/HEV at 1989 Tokyo conference. 90% of PTH is HCV; 50-60% progress to chronic hepatitis; 20% to cirrhosis/HCC. US PTH-C incidence fell from 21% to 1-4%. China anti-HCV prevalence 1.35% general, 13.6% paid donors. Voluntary unpaid donation has improved safety. (3) PTH-G: GBV-C/HGV isolated by molecular techniques; 85% nt/95% aa homology; same virus different isolates; similar structure to HCV.

Treatment

Symptomatic, antiviral therapy

Preventive Measures

Voluntary unpaid donation; donor screening (paid donors, especially plasmapheresis donors with anti-HCV >50%, high risk); inactivation of blood products; mixed plasma risks contamination by one positive unit; recipient factors (immunity, number/volume of transfusions); component transfusion; strict indications.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Infectious Diseases department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.