Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTIs) among blood donors in the blood bank of a tertiary care hospital in India: A record-based study

Abstract

Objectives: Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTIs) are infections caused by potential pathogens which are transmitted to the blood recipients through blood transfusion. This study was primarily carried out to detect sero-positivity of the markers of Hepatitis-B virus (HBV), Hepatitis-C virus (HCV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Syphilis in the blood donors at a tertiary care hospital in Srinagar, J&K, India over a of 4 years.Material and Methods: Blood donations over 4 years from Jan.2015 to Dec. 2018 were reviewed retrospectively from the records of blood bank for seropositivity for HBV, HCV, HIV and Syphilis.Results: A total of 31733 blood units were collected out of which 24494 (77.19%) were replacement and 7239 (22.81%) were voluntary. The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV and Syphilis was 0.22% (72), 0.16% (52), 0.009% (3) and 0.01% (5) respectively. A decreasing trend of all the major TTIs was observed over these years. Prevalence of all the four TTIs was observed highest in replacement donors as compared to voluntary donors. Conclusion:Seroprevalence of all the TTIs was low as compared to the studies from rest of the country. Extensive donor selection and screening procedures will help in improving blood safety more. Efforts should be made to maximise voluntary donations and minimise replacement donations.