Screening of Donated Blood for Transfusion-transmitted Infections by Serology and Response Rate to Notification of Reactive Results in Tertiary Care Institution

Abstract

Background: Safety for blood Transfusion begins with healthy donors. A basic part of preventing transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) is to notify and counsel reactive donors. Serologic testing for transfusion-transmitted diseases has historically been the foundation of blood screening. This study analysed trends in the prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infectious pathogens among blood donors and notify them as well as to assess response rate among them. Donor notification and counseling protect the health of the donor and stop secondary transmission of infectious diseases.

Methods: 38707 blood donations were screened for TTIs, namely, HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis, Malarial Parasite by serology. ELISA testing for anti-HIV antibody, anti-HCV antibody and HBsAg and RPR test for syphilis, Rapid card test for Malarial Parasite. All reactive donors were retested in duplicate and notified of their status by communicating through telephone.

Result: We evaluated 341(0.88%) cases with reactive screening test results (0.617% HBV, 0.016% HCV, 0.134% HIV, 0.08% syphilis, 0.031% Malaria). Only 179donors (52.5%) responded to notification. The response among voluntary donors was better as compared to the replacement donors (54.1% versus 40.7%). Only 101 (57.22%) responsive donors followed their first attendance at referral clinic.

Conclusion: Our study provides prevalence rate of TTIs among blood donors and importance of proper donor counseling and notification of TTI status to all reactive donors who opt to receive this information.