Which hepatitis marker is not mandated for donor screening by AABB?

Which hepatitis marker is not mandated for donor screening by AABB?

• A. Anti-HAV
• B. HBsAg
• C. Anti-HBc
• D. Anti-HBs

Answer: (A)

The key idea is which hepatitis markers are required for donor screening versus which are not. AABB focuses screening on hepatitis B markers to prevent HBV transmission: the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) flags active infection, so blood is deferred. Anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antibody) is included because it helps detect past exposure and can reveal occult HBV infections when HBsAg is negative. Anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) indicates immunity, typically from vaccination or resolved infection, and helps interpret a donor’s HBV status in the context of other markers. In contrast, antibodies to hepatitis A (anti-HAV) are not part of standard donor screening guidelines, because hepatitis A is not routinely considered a transfusion-transmission risk in the same way, and there’s no mandated HAV test for screening. Therefore, anti-HAV is not required by AABB.

The key idea is which hepatitis markers are required for donor screening versus which are not. AABB focuses screening on hepatitis B markers to prevent HBV transmission: the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) flags active infection, so blood is deferred. Anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antibody) is included because it helps detect past exposure and can reveal occult HBV infections when HBsAg is negative. Anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) indicates immunity, typically from vaccination or resolved infection, and helps interpret a donor’s HBV status in the context of other markers. In contrast, antibodies to hepatitis A (anti-HAV) are not part of standard donor screening guidelines, because hepatitis A is not routinely considered a transfusion-transmission risk in the same way, and there’s no mandated HAV test for screening. Therefore, anti-HAV is not required by AABB.