Prevalence of viral hepatitis and molecular analysis of HBV among voluntary blood donors in west Iran.

To determine the prevalence of viral hepatitis infection and hepatitis B virus (HBV) molecular characterization, 11,200 blood donors from citizens of Shahrekord (a city located in west of Iran) were investigated. Results showed HBsAg-positive in 1.78% of persons (n=200), anti-HDV-positive in 3% of HBsAg-positive cases (n=6) and anti-HCV-positive in 0.67% of donors (n=76). HBV phylogenetic analysis disclosed HBV genotype D, sub-genotype D1, and subtype ayw2. Amino acid mapping of the HBV pol region revealed various HBV drug-resistance mutations though donors had no antiviral therapy. In conclusion, this study demonstrated notable viral hepatitis seroprevalence rate in blood donors in west of Iran.