A ten-year trend of human immunodeficiency virus infection in voluntary blood donors in the South Backa district of Vojvodina

Abstract

Introduction. The first cases of human immunodeficiency virus infection and the first transmission of human immunodeficiency virus infection through blood transfusion in Vojvodina were registered in 1985. The aims of this study were to determine the ten-year trend of human immunodeficiency virus infection among blood donors in South Bačka District of Vojvodina, routes of transmission and risk factors. Material and Methods. A retrospective study was conducted at the Blood Transfusion Institute of Vojvodina during 2009-2018, and human immunodeficijenca antigens and antibodies were analyzed. A total of 300 936 blood donor samples were screened using combined antibody-antigen tests (fourth generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence). Further testing included confirmatory immunoblot assay and molecular assay. Results. The overall human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence was 3.7 per 100 000 donations. The number of blood donors found to be human immunodeficiency virus positive has increased during the study period showing a positive trend. The highest number of human immunodeficiency virus positive results was reported among blood donors aged 26-35 (36%) and 46-55 years (27%). The infection was more frequent in males. The leading rout of transmission was through unprotected sexual intercourse. Higher human immunodeficiency virus prevalence was among regular blood donors (73%). Conclusion. This study points to the importance of careful selection of blood donors and their education about risk behavior in order to reduce the risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission. Concomitant use of sensitive serological and molecular tests is crucial to increase the blood safety.