Abstract
Introductionhuman cytomegalovirus (CMV) has remained a cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy and immunocompromised patients. CMV is transmissible through blood transfusion. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study to assess blood donor safety and to determine the prevalence and associated factors for CMV infection among blood donors in Minna, Nigeria.Methodsall consenting blood donors were screened for CMV antibodies (IgM and IgG) using ELISA kit and haematological indices using a haematological analyzer. We administered structured questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic and socio-economic data. Data were subjected to univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses using Epi Info version 3.5.4. Significant associations were presumed if p < 0.05.Resultsa total of 345 participantswere recruited, the majority were males 336 (97.4%). Monthly earnings of majority of the blood donors, 136 (40.6%) ranged from ₦18,000 to ₦35,000. The prevalence of CMV infection was 96.2%. The prevalence of anti-CMV IgG antibodies was 96.2% and that of IgM was 2.6%. Most of the study participants, 274 (79.4%) were family replacement donors. The majority of the blood donors 195 (56.5%) were anaemic (PCV < 36, Hb < 12g/dl). Those with positive CMV were more likely to be of high-income level (OR = 0.32, P = 0.04).Conclusionthe seroprevalence of CMV was high with a significant proportion of donors capable of transmitting CMV infection to blood recipients. The majority of the blood donors were anaemic. High income level is associated with CMV infection. Quality of screening for anemia be improved.
Highlights
Blood transfusion is usually a lifesaving therapeutic intervention
Healthy persons who are between the ages of 18 and 65 years with haemoglobin (Hb) levels of not less than 13.5 g/dl in males or 12.5 g/dl in females are acceptable as donors if they test negative for transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs)
We aimed at assessing the blood donor safety and determining the prevalence and associated factors for CMV infection among blood donors in Minna, Nigeria.We found the seroprevalence of CMV to be 96.2%; this is consistent with findings of a study in Sfax region, Tunisia (97.1%), Jos, Nigeria (92%), and Lagos, Nigeria (96%) [5, 11, 12]
Summary
Blood transfusion is usually a lifesaving therapeutic intervention. many preventable errors may make this a hazardous procedure [1]. Healthy persons who are between the ages of 18 and 65 years with haemoglobin (Hb) levels of not less than 13.5 g/dl in males or 12.5 g/dl in females are acceptable as donors if they test negative for transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). These TTIs include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), malaria, syphilis and chagas disease. Human cytomegalovirus (CMV), otherwise called human herpes virus type 5, over the years, has come to assume an important public health problem As it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy and among immunocompromised patients like recipients of organ transplants, HIV-infected persons, cancer patients on therapy and neonates [5]
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