Seroprevalence of HIV, HbsAg, HCV, Syphilis in Blood Donors at Blood Bank in a Tertiary Care General Hospital – A Retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction: Transfusion of blood and blood products has an important role in saving lives. With every unit of blood there is a 1% chance of transfusion associated problems including transfusion transmitted diseases [1].This study was carried out to know the Sero-prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections in blood donors in Bhavnagar. This will help in knowing trends of common transfusion transmitted diseases like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Syphilis and implementation of advance test methods if required. Objectives: To know the prevalence rate & trend of Transfusion Transmitted in blood donors at Blood Bank, Sir T General Hospital, Bhavnagar. Materials & Method: This retrospective study was carried out over a period of five year from January 2007 to December 2011 at blood bank, Sir Takhtsinhji general hospital attached with Government Medical College, Bhavnagar (Gujarat). Blood collection was carried out from voluntary donors as well as replacement donors (relatives and friends of the patients). Total 34051 of blood donors were tested for detection of antibodies against HIV, HCV, syphilis, Hepatitis B antigen (HbsAg). Results: Out of 34051 donors the prevalence of different transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) were 825(2.42%) from which voluntary sero-reactive donors were 424(1.72%) & remaining 401(4.32%) were replacement donors. The prevalence of TTIs in male donors was 809(2.53%) & in female donors 27(1.33%). The trend of TTIs was decreasing over period of five years. The most common TTI was HBV infection in both voluntary (1.06%) & replacement donors (2.69%). Conclusion: The time and cost involved in screening donated blood can be reduced by an effective donor education & selection program that promotes self-exclusion by donors at risk of transfusion-transmissible infections.