Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a single strand and non-enveloped RNA virus. It is usually transmitted by the fecal-oral and the blood transfusion routes and causes the hepatitis A disease. Clinically, the hepatitis A is usually mild, particularly in children, in whom it is frequently subclinical. The disease is more serious and prolonged in adults. The objective of this study was to find the prevalence of HAV among blood donors in Tehran, Iran.

Methods: Sera of 407 blood donors in Tehran Blood Transfusion Center who were negative for anti-HIV, HBs Ag and anti-HCV were tested for total anti-HAV antibody, anti-HAV IgM and HAV RNA. Total antibodies (IgG+IgM) and IgM were determined by ELISA using commercial kits. HAV RNA was detected by nested RT-PCR.

Results: The prevalence of total anti-HAV antibodies in blood donors were was 86%, and also the ratio 99% of blood donors was negative for anti-HAV IgM and 1% was equivocal. HAV RNA was not found in any serum samples. The prevalence of total anti-HAV antibodies among blood donors was high; it means most of them were infected in childhood. In spite of, 14% of blood donors were negative for total anti-HAV antibodies; the prevalence of anti-HAV IgM and HAV

RNA were very low.
Conclusion: Carefully blood donor selection is performed in Iran.