O-23 HEPATITIS B VIRUS STATUS OF ORGAN DONORS IN ARGENTINA

Introduction and Objectives: Argentina is considered an area with a low prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the real prevalence of the disease is unknown. We aimed to study the prevalence of HBV in potential cadaveric donors. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to analyze data from the National Procurement of Transplantation in Argentina from all donors from 2006 to 2020. HBV serologic tests included hepatitis B virus antigen (HBsAg), core antigen-antibody (HBcIgG) and anti-HBs performed during the procurement process. HBV status was defined as 1) active HBV: donors with positive HBsAg; 2) Past HBV infection or false positive: isolated positive HBcIgG; 3) Cured infection anti-HBs+/HBcIgG+. Results: Overall, 16140 deceased donors were denounced. The prevalence of HBsAg was 0.37% (n=60) and of isolated HBcIgG+ was 3.6% (n=575). Among organ donors only, 328 (3.8%) presented isolated HBcIgG-positive serology. Of these, 252 (77%) were effective organ donors. Solid-organ transplants performed using isolated HBcIgG+ donors were 220 kidneys, 124 livers, and 27 intrathoracic organs. There was no significant 5-year graft and patient survival difference between HBcIgG+ receptor (kidney transplant 65% and 81%, and for liver 65% and 83% respectively) and the general population. Anti-HBs data were available in only 4455 donors, of which 19% (N=847) were anti-HBs+. In those patients with positive anti-HBs, HBcIgG was positive in 8.3% (n=369), reflecting past HBV infection. Of the remaining 4086 AntiS available, only 11.7% were positive; that is, they were effectively vaccinated. The Patagonia region presented the highest prevalence of HBsAg, especially in the provinces of La Pampa (2.3%), Santa Cruz (2.2.%), and Tierra del Fuego (2.1.%). Conclusions: The prevalence of HBsAg in deceased donors in Argentina is low. Since the probability of being a donor is random, the prevalence in this population could be close to the real one in the country.