Seropositivity of HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and syphilis among blood donors: A retrospective study.

Sir,

Blood transfusion services are a vital and integral part of modern healthcare services. However, the risk of transfusion transmittable infections (TTI) such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C, and syphilis has been a major handicap.

Blood bank records at the MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bangalore were reviewed retrospectively from May 2006 to April 2011. The prevalence and trends of TTI's were assessed. A strict donor selection criterion was employed during collection of blood, and each unit was screened for TTI using commercially available 3rd generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Screening for syphilis was performed with the venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test. All seropositive samples were repeat tested before discarding.

A total of 3719 donations were received, of which 1669 (44.97%) were voluntary donors and 2050 (55.12%) were replacement donors [Table 1]. Male donors formed the majority (3536, 95.07%).

Table 1

Voluntary and replacement blood donors over a 5-year period (2006-2011)

The observations made in this study [Table 2] are in concurrence with those obtained in various studies across India.[123]

Table 2

Total seropositivity of HIV, HBsAg, HCV, and syphilis in voluntary and replacement donors over a 5-year period (2006-2011)

TTI's pose a high risk with every blood transfusion, this risk has reduced over the past decade or so primarily due to improved donor selection, increased vigilance, use of sensitive tests in screening of blood, and by making testing of all donated blood mandatory for certain infectious diseases.[4] In conclusion, seropositivity among blood donors is a cause for concern, as it is indicative of the disease load of TTI's in India. Stringent measures should be continued to be employed to reduce the risks of spread via blood donations; self-deferral must also be advocated.