Introduction:

The incidence of hepatitis B in Cuba has decreased significantly since incorporation of Cuban vaccine Heberbiovac HB.

Objective:

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers in blood donors from three provinces and the persistence of antibodies against surface antigen of this virus in blood donors born after introduction of Cuban vaccine in the National Immunization Program.

Methods:

The design of a prevalence study was applied. We included 433 donors who attended the blood banks of the provinces of Havana, Villa Clara and Santiago de Cuba, between January and December 2018.The HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs markers were detected; the latter was detected in donors aged 18-26 years. The real-time analysis of C-reactive protein (CRP) was performed to identify viral replication in individuals positive to HBsAg-positive and to anti-HBc.

Results:

The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc was 1.15% (5/433) and 7.85% (38/433), respectively. In individuals born after introduction of the vaccine, the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc was 0% and 0.95%, respectively. 36.19% (38/105) of these donors had protective levels of anti-HBs (≥10UI/L). Viral DNA was detected in a donor positive to HBsAg and to anti-HBc. Hidden infection with the hepatitis B virus was not identified.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of HBsAg is low among Cuban blood donors, with a tendency to be null in donors born after application of Cuban vaccine Heberbiovac HB.

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