Prevalence of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections (HCV, HIV, Syphilis and Malaria) in Blood Donors: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Blood plays a major role in transmitting infectious diseases such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), syphilis, malaria, and many others. Thus, this study sought to evaluate the distribution of HCV, HIV, syphilis, and malaria among blood donors in Yemen. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted on blood donors at the national center in Yemen. Blood donors’ specimens were serologically tested for the presence of anti-HCV and anti-HIV antibodies, as well as anti-Treponema pallidum, anti-Plasmodium falciparum, and anti-Plasmodium vivax. A total of 16,367 donors were included in this study. Based on the donor’s occupation, the study showed that the relative seroprevalence of anti-HCV Ab among the donors was statistically significant, and relatively high prevalence was found among military donors (2.8%). Positive HIV antibody tests were only reported in 33 male donors (0.2%), who were mostly manual workers. A remarkably high prevalence of anti-Treponema pallidum was observed among manual workers (3.1%). There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of anti-malaria Ab based on residency and age groups. This study revealed that the prevalence of HCV, HIV, syphilis, and malaria among donors was 2.0%, 0.2%, 2.4%, and 0.7%, respectively. Further genotyping studies are necessary to provide a complete picture of the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs).

Follow-up of Military Blood Donors Who Test Positive for Syphilis

“…With this extensive donor selection process and universal testing, few donors test positive for syphilis. 8,9 The last reported case of transfusion-associated syphilis in the United States was reported in 1966. 10 There are limited data on the outcomes of this unique population after they test positive for T. pallidum antibodies including the future risk of STIs.…”

“…To minimize the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections in the United States, there is a predonation screening process that defers donors based on sexual practices and current medical history as well as postdonation testing for various blood-borne pathogens including syphilis. With this extensive donor selection process and universal testing, few donors test positive for syphilis 8,9 . The last reported case of transfusion-associated syphilis in the United States was reported in 1966 10 …”

Frequency of B and C Hepatitis Viruses, and Metabolic Profile in Type 2 Diabetics: A Case of the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Cameroon

“…Because hepatitis B is more frequently linked to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which in turn cause an increase in the national incidence of hepatitis B in Cameroon, the low prevalence of hepatitis B in our research population can be attributable to this [25]. In contrast, anti-HCV antibodies are more prevalent in our sample because the average age is of 58.41 ± 10.74 years (which is the third age), meaning that some diabetics would have had pathologies that are likely to have resulted in blood transfusions (the primary cause of hepatitis C contamination) and because there is no effective hepatitis C vaccine for the majority of the population [26] [5]. These results are consistent with ours, with a low prevalence of HBsAg compared to HCV-Ac.…”

Survey on Pattern and Determinants of Blood Transfusion in Benha Neonatal Intensive Unit

“…The procedure of injecting blood and blood products into a patient's circulatory system is known as transfusion. Early in the nineteenth century, the discovery of different blood types led to the mixing of donor and recipient blood prior to surgery (5) .…”

“…In most regions of the poor world, the practice of using blood and its derivatives in newborn care is riddled with the issue of an ineffective blood banking infrastructure, despite the high demand. Furthermore, facilities for rigorous blood screening before transfusion are very restricted; thus, danger of transmitting illnesses such as hepatitis, CMV, syphilis, and HIV is elevated (5) . Despite the inadequate blood storage system, neonatologists in this region of the globe are faced with the clinical necessity of transfusing a high number of critically sick infants with blood.…”