Frequency of hepatitis B, C, and HIV viruses among blood donors in Libya.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV infections represent a global public health problem. Transmission of these viruses occurs via blood and blood products transfusion and by sexual contact (1). The infections caused by the three viruses are not curable even with the latest available treatments. Effective vaccine is available only for HBV.

In Libya, Zaied et al. (2), reported frequency rates of 0.4, 2.6, and 3% for anti-HIV antibodies, HBs-Ag, and anti-HCV antibodies, respectively, which were also reported by Habas et al. (3) and Abudher et al. (4). However, the frequency of these viruses was not studied in blood donors in Libya.

In the Central Hospital in Tripoli, Libya, all potential blood donors were screened for detection of HBs-Ag, anti-HCV, and HIV antibodies. The ELISA immunoassay method (VitrosEciQ, Orthodiagnostic) was used. Out of 14,105 potential blood donors screened between January 2005 and December 2008, there were 181, 98, and 12 subjects found positive for HBs-Ag, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV antibodies, respectively (Table 1). The cumulative frequency of HBV, HCV, and HIV was 12.8, 6.9, and 0.9 per 1,000, respectively (Table 2).

Table 1

The frequency of HBV, HCV, and HIV among blood donors

Year	Donors	HBV positive (%)	HCV positive (%)	HIV positive (%)
2005	1,762	22 (1.2)	15 (8.5)	0 (0)
2006	4,169	51 (1.2)	20 (4.7)	2 (0.04)
2007	5,802	50 (8.6)	18 (3.1)	3 (0.05)
2008	2,372	58 (2.4)	45 (18.9)	7 (2.9)
Total	14,105	181	98	12

Table 2

The cumulative frequency of HBV, HCV, and HIV among blood donors (per 1,000)

		Cumulative frequency
Year	Total screened	HBV	HCV	HIV
2005–2006	5,931	12.3	5.9	0.3
2005–2007	11,733	10.5	4.5	0.4
2005–2008	14,105	12.8	6.9	0.9

Here, we are reporting that the frequency of the HBs-Ag, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV among healthy blood donors is increasing. A previous study conducted in Tripoli in randomly recruited subjects using a multistage sampling technique reported that HBV and HCV infections were detected in 2.2% and 1.2%, respectively (4). Another study conducted during 2007 in Benghazi by Kutrani et al. revealed that 51.2% were infected with HBV, 46.9% with HCV, and 1.9% with hepatitis B and C (5).

In Libya, most of the blood donors are young men (20–40 years of age). It is known that this age group is usually in the high-risk group for drug abuse, unprotected sex, and other unsecure habits for the transmission of the virus.

From this primary report, it can be concluded that HBV, HCV, and HIV virus infection is a problem in Libya. A community-based study should be planned for targeting at risk and non-at risk subjects to investigate the extent of this problem and its impact on the community with an effort to develop preventive strategies.