What is the most common cause of posttransfusion hepatitis detected in donors?

The choice of HBsAg as the most common cause of posttransfusion hepatitis detected in donors is based on the prevalence and significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBsAg, or Hepatitis B surface antigen, is a protein on the surface of the hepatitis B virus, and its presence in the blood indicates an active HBV infection.

Hepatitis B is a well-established cause of posttransfusion hepatitis and is notably more prevalent in blood donors compared to hepatitis A or C, particularly in populations where HBV is endemic. When blood components from an infected donor are transfused, the recipient can contract the virus, leading to posttransfusion hepatitis.

Anti-HCV, while a significant concern for transfusion-related hepatitis as it pertains to hepatitis C virus, is less common compared to active HBV infections in donations. Anti-HAV IgM indicates a recent hepatitis A infection, but hepatitis A is generally less severe and does not usually lead to chronic infections. Anti-HBe is a marker of hepatitis B viral replication and persistence, but it does not directly indicate the presence of active infection in the context of transfusion-related events like HBsAg does.

Therefore, HBsAg is a more relevant marker in identifying donors who