Prevalence and Implications of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Blood Donors in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT: Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a transfusion-transmissible infection of global concern. While mandatory screening for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has reduced overt infections, occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) poses ongoing risk. This meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of anti-HBc, HBsAg, and OBI in Saudi blood donors, as well as to assess regional variations and temporal trends. Methods: A systematic meta-analysis was conducted using nine studies published between 2013 and 2024, encompassing a total of 87,820 blood donors. Prevalence was pooled using random-effects models with logit transformation and Hartung-Knapp adjustment. Heterogeneity was quantified with I² and τ². Subgroup analyses examined geographic regi

SUBMITTER: Tounsi WA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12691025 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature