BackgroundTransfusion-transmitted infections threaten the safety of patients requiring blood transfusion, which in turn imposes serious challenges for the availability of safe blood products that are still affordable in health care systems with limited resources. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections in blood donors and to evaluate the demographic characteristics of reactive and non-reactive blood donors.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted at our institute in Karachi, Pakistan. Donors were required to fill a detailed questionnaire and were screened for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human immunodeficiency viruses, Syphilis and Malaria by ELISA and thick film (malaria).ResultsOf the 16,602 blood donors, 16,557 were males and 45 females (mean age 28.6 ± 2). Nine hundred and seventy three (5.8%) donations were reactive in any screening assay, with 58 (0.35%) donations reacting in more than one assay. The prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Human immunodeficiency viruses, Syphilis and Malaria was found to be 1.84, 1.7, 0.04, 2.1 and 0.07% respectively. Characteristics among the infections were evaluated and it was found that unmarried donors had a higher chance to be infected by Hepatitis B virus and Syphilis as compared to the other infections. On the other hand, construction workers and married donors were at more risk to be infected by Syphilis rather than the other infections. In case of co-infections, personnel with different occupations and marital status were infected by more than one pathogen.ConclusionA substantial percentage of the blood donor’s harbored transfusion-transmitted infections. Prevention of TTIs should be the main goal right now. There is a need for stringent selection of blood donors with the emphasis on getting voluntary donations and comprehensive screening of donor’s blood for TTIs using standard methods to ensure the safety of blood recipient.

This study reported a fairly similar pattern of donor deferrals as in other regional studies. Low haemoglobin levels and a history of hepatitis B infection were the most common factors for temporary and permanent donor deferrals, respectively.

The low incidence indicates underreporting and the need for a formal haemovigilance system. International benchmarking between different medical systems is helpful to identify areas in the transfusion process that have to be changed to improve transfusion safety.

Aims To assess the seasonal variations in hematological disorders among patients diagnosed on the basis of bone marrow biopsy, who attended National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) clinics during 2006 to 2015. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the 10‐year records of hematological disorders among patients' NIBD clinics from year 2006 to 2015. All cases of aplastic anemia (AA), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) were categorized on the basis of the seasons in which they were diagnosed such as winter (December‐February), spring (March‐May), southwest monsoon periods (June‐September), and retreating monsoon period (October and November). Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS and STATA. Inferential statistics were explored using the chi‐square test for heterogeneity to evaluate seasonal variations. P‐value <0.05 was taken as significant. Results A total of 1982 cases were reviewed. Men were predominantly higher (n = 1190, 60%) as compared to women (n = 792, 40%). Frequency of ALL was found to be higher (513, 25.9%), followed by ITP (504, 25.4%), AML (490, 24.7%), AA (396, 20%), while APML was observed in only 79 (4%) patients. Seasonal variations in the diagnosis of hematological disorders were observed (P‐value < .001), except in APML diagnosis (P‐value = .445). Significant seasonal variations were also detected in both genders in stratified analysis. Conclusion The finding of this study has reported an increase in the hematological disorder during 2006 to 2015. Particularly, majority of the cases were reported in southwest monsoon period, whereas least cases were reported in retreating period. Significant seasonal and yearly variations were detected in all diagnosis except the APML.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ABO and Rh phenotypes in the general Pakistan population. This information could be used to help reduce the rate of alloimmunization in patients with blood disorders, such as thalassemia major, who require frequent blood transfusions. A total of 242 patients with blood disorders requiring frequent blood transfusions were enrolled in the study. ABO and Rh typing was performed on samples from these patients using tube and gel methods. Of these 242 patients, 146 (60.4%) were male and 96 (39.6%) were female. The prevalence of ABO and D phenotypes was as follows: group O, D+ (38.8%), group O, D-(2.5%), group B, D+ (32.2%), group A, D+ (17.4%), group A, D-(1.7%), and group AB, D+ (7.4%). Of the 242 patients, 232 (95.8%) were D+ and 10 (4.2%) were D-. The most prevalent Rh antigen was found to be e (97%), followed by D (95%), C (89.6%), c (62.8%), and lastly, E (22.6%). The prevalence of Rh phenotypes was: R 1 R 1 (37.7%), R 1 r (33.4%), R 1 R 2 (19.4%), R 2 r (5.2%), and rr (4.3 %). All of the D-patients were rr. In our study, the highest prevalence of ABO phenotypes was group O and the most prevalent Rh antigen was e. Rh phenotyping, along with antibody screening and identification should be performed prior to transfusion of patients requiring multiple transfusions to reduce and possibly prevent the rate of alloimmunization. Immunohematology 2016;32:170-173.