Which viral agent causes the majority of transfusion-associated hepatitis?

Which viral agent causes the majority of transfusion-associated hepatitis?

• A. Hepatitis B Virus
• B. Hepatitis D Virus
• C. Hepatitis A Virus
• D. Hepatitis C Virus

Answer: (D)

Transfusion-associated hepatitis is driven by viruses that can be transmitted through blood products. Hepatitis C virus is the primary agent here because it is efficiently transmitted via blood and, historically, accounted for most cases before donor screening and nucleic acid testing reduced the risk. Unlike Hepatitis A, which is mainly spread fecal-orally and not via blood, or Hepatitis D, which requires hepatitis B coinfection and is less common in transfusion cases, Hepatitis B is now largely controlled by vaccines and routine screening. The lack of a vaccine for hepatitis C and its tendency to cause silent, chronic infection also contributed to its prominence as the cause of transfusion-related hepatitis.

Transfusion-associated hepatitis is driven by viruses that can be transmitted through blood products. Hepatitis C virus is the primary agent here because it is efficiently transmitted via blood and, historically, accounted for most cases before donor screening and nucleic acid testing reduced the risk. Unlike Hepatitis A, which is mainly spread fecal-orally and not via blood, or Hepatitis D, which requires hepatitis B coinfection and is less common in transfusion cases, Hepatitis B is now largely controlled by vaccines and routine screening. The lack of a vaccine for hepatitis C and its tendency to cause silent, chronic infection also contributed to its prominence as the cause of transfusion-related hepatitis.