Which virus is most commonly responsible for transfusion-associated hepatitis?

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

Answer: (C)

Transfusion-associated hepatitis is caused by viruses that can be transmitted through blood products and infect the liver. Among these, the major players are hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. Historically, hepatitis B was the leading cause, but with routine testing for hepatitis B surface antigen and, later, widespread screening for hepatitis C antibodies, hepatitis C emerged as the most common cause of transfusion-related hepatitis in many settings. Cytomegalovirus, while it can be transmitted via blood components, is a herpesvirus and is not a hepatitis virus; it can cause hepatitis in certain immunocompromised patients, but it’s not considered the typical cause of transfusion-associated hepatitis. Hepatitis A is usually spread by the fecal-oral route and is not a common transfusion-transmitted hepatitis. Therefore, the virus most commonly responsible is hepatitis C virus.