Transfusion transmissible infections among blood donors in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Screening of transfusion transmissible infections among blood donors can be a costeffective approach not only to screen the blood before transfusion to avoid transfusion transmitted infections, but also to monitor the prevalence, distribution, and trends of the infections among healthy looking individuals. A cross-sectional research based at Nepal Red Cross Society, Central Blood Transfusion Service, Kathmandu, was carried out during March - September 2008 to investigate transfusion transmissible infections in

blood donors. A total of 21,716 units of blood were tested for the presence of anti-HIV 1 and 2 IgG/IgM, HBsAg, anti-HCV IgG/IgM, anti-Treponema pallidum IgG/IgM/IgA

using the commercial kits following standard protocols.

Seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections was observed to be 1.68% (HIV- 0.12%, HBV- 0.47%, HCV- 0.64%, Syphilis- 0.48%) with a male dominance of 1.76% compared to females with 1.18% (P < 0.05). Highest seroprevalence of TTIs (5.1%) was observed in the age group 51 to 60 years; with Syphilis (4.08%) as the most common infection. Higher prevalence of HIV (0.17%) in age groups 31-40 years, HBV (0.78%) in age groups 41 to 50 years, HCV (0.76%) in age groups 21-30 years was observed. Prevalence of TTIs was slightly higher (1.74%) among the repeated donors compared to the first time donors (1.61%) (P > 0.05). Co-prevalence of HIV and HCV was 0.02%, with statistically significant association. Co-prevalence of HCV and Syphilis was 0.009%, HIV and HBV co-prevalence was 0.004%, HBV and HCV co-prevalence was also 0.004%. The co-infection with HCV and HIV seropositive donors (18.51%) was higher compared to other coinfections.

Continuity of screening of donated blood with highly sensitive and specific tests and introduction of donor counselling which are positive to any of the above infections is the urgent need to avoid transmission of infection from the infected donors.