Malaria parasitaemia among blood donors in Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among blood donors in Ilorin has not been documented. In this study, we determined the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among blood donors in Ilorin, as well as, the sociodemographic and other factors associated with it. Method: This was a hospital-based cross sectional study involving 308 consenting blood donors. The sociodemographic characteristics of participants as well as blood donation history were obtained using structured questionnaires specifically designed for this purpose. Giemsastained thick and thin blood films to identify malaria parasites were performed using standard method. ABO blood grouping and haemoglobin electrophoresis tests were also done using standard methods. Results: The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among blood donors in Ilorin was 27.3%. The parasite species found were more of Plasmodium falciparum(85.7%) than Plasmodium malariae(14.3%) . There was no age or sex difference in malaria parasitaemia. (p-value of 0.8 and 0.32 respectively). A greater proportion of blood group O individuals had malaria parasitaemia than groups A and B but this difference was not significant (p-value = 0.13). There was also no significant difference among haemoglobin genotypes. Conclusion:The prevalence of malaria parasites among blood donors in Ilorin is considerably high and lack of routine screening of blood puts recipients at risk. We recommend that routine screening for malaria parasites be commenced in our blood banks. Treatment of donor blood with riboflavin and UV light to inactivate malaria parasites and other infectious pathogens before they are transfused to patients may also be considered in our blood banks.

Seroprevalence and parasite rates ofPlasmodium malariaein a high malaria transmission setting of southern Nigeria

“…This concurs with the higher prevalence of P. malariae infections in older age groups reported in Papua New Guinea using similarly sensitive molecular method -post-PCR ligase detection reaction-fluorescent microsphere assay (LDR-FMA) compared with light microscopy (21). The results herein adds to data on prevalence of non-falciparum species in Nigeria which remains scanty (22)(23)(24)(25) given the focus on P. falciparum. With the push for global eradication it buttresses the proponent that other human Plasmodium species should be brought to focus and included in malaria elimination strategies.…”

Whole blood pathogen reduction technology and blood safety in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review with regional discussion

“…The situation described in the WHO 2010 survey 9 was reinforced by the statements and presentations at the meetings in Brazzaville and Yaoundé 21,22,23 and is typified by the current state of affairs in Cameroon, 24 Ghana, 5 Nigeria 7 and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa. 5,15 Two key challenges in the region were highlighted: the overall inadequacy of the blood supply and the lack of safe blood for transfusions.…”

“…Thus, added to the wider iatrogenic risks such as TTIs associated with transfusions, 5,6,7,8,9 the shortage of blood denies sickle-cell disease and many other patients in sub-Saharan Africa the adequate healthcare that is taken virtually for granted in Europe and North America.…”

“…2,3,4,9,10 Also important to note is that, of the estimated one million annual deaths resulting from malaria globally, 90% occur in sub-Saharan Africa. 7,9 This suggests a high carrier rate of malarial parasite in this region and hence in the pool of potential blood donors. According to the respondents of a 2010 survey of the status of blood safety in the WHO African Region, an estimated 7.5% of blood units were discarded to avoid the risks of TTIs.…”

“…3,4,5 Whilst improvements have been made in the past, a high residual risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) remains because of viruses, bacteria, protozoa and residual contaminating leukocytes, despite decades of blood safety programmes. 3,4,5,6,7,8 …”