Family Replacement Donors Research Articles

The future of blood services amid a tight balance between the supply and demand of blood products: Perspectives from the ISBT Young Professional Council.

Blood services manage the increasingly tight balance between the supply and demand of blood products, and their role in health research is expanding. This review explores the themes that may define the future of blood banking. We reviewed the PubMed database for articles on emerging/new blood-derived products and the utilization of blood donors in health research. In high-income countries (HICs), blood services may consider offering these products: whole blood, cold-stored platelets, synthetic blood components, convalescent plasma, lyophilized plasma and cryopreserved/lyophilized platelets. Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) aim to establish a pool of volunteer, non-remunerated blood donors and wean themselves off family replacement donors; and many HICs are relaxing the deferral criteria targeting racial and sexual minorities. Blood services in HICs could achieve plasma self-sufficiency by building plasma-dedicated centres, in collaboration with the private sector. Lastly, blood services should expand their involvement in health research by establishing donor cohorts, conducting serosurveys, studying non-infectious diseases and participating in clinical trials. This article provides a vision of the future for blood services. The introduction of some of these changes will be slower in LMICs, where addressing key operational challenges will likely be prioritized.

Seroprevalence of Transfusion-Transmissible Infections among Family Replacement Donors and Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sub Saharan Africa.

Introduction : According to WHO, regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors are the safest group of donors, as they have the lowest prevalence of blood transmitted infections. However, family/replacement blood donors is widely used in sub Saharan Africa and this practice was exacerbated during the COVID 19 pandemic. This study aimed to compare the seroprevalence of infectious markers in family replacement blood donors and voluntary non-remunerated blood donors during the COVID 19 pandemic in a country of sub Saharan Africa. 
 Materials and Methods
 Blood donors received at the National Centre of Blood Transfusion (NBTC) of Dakar from August 1st to October 31th 2021, were included in this study. All donors completed a pre-donation questionnaire. Donors identity, epidemiological parameters, reasons for donation and laboratory results were collected in the Inlog® software of the NBTC. The serological tests for HBV, HIV and HCV were performed with chemiluminescence technology. The Rapid Plasma Reagent test was used to find out treponemal antibodies. The determination of ABO and Rh blood groups was performed using monoclonal antisera following classical hemagglutination test on a plate.
 Results
 A total of 5002 donors were collected during this COVID-19 pandemic period. Blood family/replacement donors represented 54.0% and new voluntary donors represented 52.6%. Comparison of HIV, HCV and syphilis markers seroprevalence showed no statistically significant difference between new voluntary donors and new family replacement donors (p>0.05). However, for HBV the seroprevalence was significantly higher in new family replacement donors (p=0,002).
 Conclusion 
 The proper supply of blood was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic meanwhile replacement donations had contributed to limiting the damage observed with blood shortages. However, the significant differences noted on the seroprevalences of transfusion-transmissible infections between voluntary non-paid donors and family/replacement donors strengthens WHO recommendations for the selection of volunteer non-paid donors to lower transfusion-transmissible HBV in sub Saharan Africa.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Frequencies of blood donation and types of blood donors on storage lesions as assessed by antioxidants and lipid peroxidation levels

Introduction: Influence of Blood storage lesions on Red Blood Cells transfusion recovery and therapeutic efficacies have been well documented. Several stabilizing additives to counteract or minimize these untoward changes have been formulated. Despite these stabilizers, detectable hemolysis occurs in the blood stored in the blood bank hence, need for search on other contributing factors. Assessment of the effects of Blood Donation Frequencies and Types of Blood Donors on Storage Lesions as Assessed by the Level of Antioxidants and Lipid Peroxidation. Materials and Methods: Ethically approved cross sectional experimental research on a total numbers of 120 recruited male of family replacement donors (n=30) and Remunerated donors (n=90). Remunerated donors were grouped into three (3) based on the frequency of donation per year as mild (n=30), moderate (n=30) and high frequency (n=30) donors. Four hundred and fifty milliliters (450 ml) of blood drawn from each donor into double blood bag containing CPDA-1 anticoagulant. 100 ml of well mixed blood was transferred into the satellite bag, detached and stored in the blood bank at 2-6 C for 35 days. The blood samples analyzed for MDA, TAP, URIC, and GSH at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of storage. Results: In the recruited donors, majority were above 40 years of age where family donors had secondary education, government employed; feed majorly on carbohydrate, none alcohol drinkers, none cigarette smokers with history of donating more than four years before the study and less than four times donation frequency per year. Remunerated blood donors had primary education, self-employed, moderate alcohol drinkers and moderate cigarette smokers donating more than four times a year and more than four years donation experience. In this study, the GPX, TAP and Uric acids for family were higher than remunerated at baseline and the values decrease across the week for both categories. MDA value for family was lower than remunerated donors at baseline and the values increase across the week for both categories. Conclusion: This study established variation in oxidant and antioxidants levels in whole blood stored up to 5 weeks influenced by Blood Donation Frequencies and Types of Blood Donors on Storage Lesions.

Seroprevalence, trends, and risk factors of hepatitis B and C among family replacement blood donors; a 7-year retrospective study at Sunyani Municipal Hospital, Ghana

ABSTRACT Hepatitis B and C cause chronic infections which develop into liver-related sequelae, like cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. This study determined the seroprevalence, trends, and risk factors of HBV and HCV among family replacement donors. A retrospective review of primary data on blood donors screened between January 2015 and December 2021 was conducted at Sunyani Municipal Hospital. The data were assessed for seroprevalence, trends, and odds ratios using SPSS. Of 6847 donors, the majority were males (88.1% [6033]), ≤24 years (27.4% [1874]), O blood type (69.8% [4776]), and Rh-positive (89.9% [6154]). The seroprevalences of HBV and HCV were 3.2% and 1.9%, respectively, with more males infected with HBV and HCV (3.4% vs 2.0%). Males were 2.842 times (p = .001) and 2.399 times (p = .025) more susceptible than females to HBV and HCV, respectively. In the rainy season, donors were 1.489 times (p = .041) more susceptible to HCV. HBV and HCV seroprevalence declined over the period (slope: −0.5464, p ≤ .001 vs slope: −0.6179, p ≤ .001). Male gender and rainy season were significant determinants of both infections. The seroprevalence of HBV was higher than HCV despite the significant decline in both infections. We, recommend health authorities intensify health education among males and during the rainy season.

Donor Blood Procurement, Safety, and Clinical Utilization: A Study of Blood Transfusion Services in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nigeria.

Background Donated blood is an essential component of the management of many diseases, and hospital-based blood banks in Nigeria are saddled with the responsibility of provision of safe blood and coordination of its appropriate utilization for patient care. Objective This study reviewed the extent to which the hospital blood transfusion service ensures adequate safe blood supply and utilization. Materials/Methods. This was a retrospective study of 2 years record of the blood bank service of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching. Methods of donor blood procurement, transfusion transmissible infection status, the pattern of blood, and blood component usage across the hospital's clinical departments were evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS, and data were presented as percentages. Fisher's tests were used to test significance, and p value <0.05 is significant. Results The highest proportion of donors was male family replacement donors aged 26–35 years (3634 (39.68%)) while total voluntary donors were 315 (2.65%). Hepatitis B had the highest seroprevalence 267 (2.22%) among blood-borne diseases screened. National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) supplied only 3 (0.03%) of total blood units used. The accident and emergency department had the highest proportion of persons who utilized whole blood; 4568 (99.96%). Conclusion The hospital blood bank relies heavily on family replacement donors with little or no assistance from the National Blood Transfusion Service. Family replacement donors have the highest risk of TTIs, and hepatitis B infection has the highest prevalence. The high cost of blood component therapy increases the need for whole blood.

First Report from Afghanistan on the Prevalence of Blood-Borne Infections: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Multicentre Study for an Epidemiological Assessment.

BackgroundThe transfusion of blood and blood components has a significant role in healthcare services. However, it remains a possible risk factor for blood-borne infections. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of serological markers of common blood-borne infections among the blood donor population of Afghanistan.MethodologyThis was a cross-sectional study based on retrospectively collected data over a period of six years from 284 blood centres across 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Every blood donor’s sample was tested by rapid immunoassays for the serological markers of blood-borne infections namely hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), anti-human immunodeficiency virus 1/2 (anti-HIV1/2), and anti-Treponema pallidum (anti-TP).ResultsAll blood donors during the study period were males. The majority of blood donations were from the family replacement category 56.93% (n = 544,568). The overall pooled prevalence of blood-borne infections was 4.36% with a comparatively higher percentage in family replacement donors 4.88%. The seropositivity for HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV1/2, and anti-TP was 2.95%, 0.81%, 0.04%, and 0.54%, respectively.ConclusionComplete reliance on voluntary blood donors and screening with quality assured highly sensitive assay is recommended to ensure blood safety in the country.

Pattern Of Blood Donation And Reasons For Deferral Of Blood Donors In A Tertiary Health Facility In Northeastern Nigeria

Bbackground: Blood transfusion is an essential lifesaving procedure in medical practice. The source of blood for donation can be from Voluntary Non-remunerated Donors (VNRDs), Family Replacement Donors, Commercial/Paid donors and Autologous Donors. The VNRD has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation in developing countries like Nigeria is different as there is scarcity of VNRDs which can be attributed to ignorance, fear, misconceptions regarding blood and blood products donation and transfusion. Objective: This study aimed to determine the pattern of blood donations and reasons for deferral in Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study where records of blood donors that presented to the Blood Bank of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) Bauchi from January, 2018 to December 2019 were collected. Data was analyzed using Microsoft excel 2016. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Research and Ethics committee of ATBUTH Bauchi. Results: There were 19,406 prospective donors who presented for donation during the period under review. Of the 19,406 prospective donors, 24.7% (4,786/19406) were deferred from donation for various reasons including seropositivity to transfusion transmissible pathogens (70.3%), low blood level (anaemia) (20.5%), low weight (1.3%), among others. Females constituted only 2.4% (354/14,620) of the blood donors. Ninety eight percent (14,423/14,620) were family replacement donors while no commercial donors were seen during the period under review. Conclusion and Recommendations: There is a low rate of voluntary and female blood donation as well as a high donor deferral rate in our environment. We therefore recommend increased advocacy for regular voluntary non-remunerated blood donation by the community as well as encouraging more female participation in blood donation.

Knowledge, attitudes and risk perception surrounding blood donation and receipt in two high income Caribbean countries.

To compare knowledge, attitudes and risk perception related to blood donation and transfusion in Trinidad and Tobago and Bahamas. Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas are two Caribbean countries whose national blood transfusion systems are heavily reliant (76.2% and 76%) on family replacement donors. The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation recommends blood collection from exclusively voluntary nonremunerated donors on the grounds that family replacement donor-based blood systems are unsafe and inadequate compared to those based on voluntary nonremunerated blood donors. A 23-item questionnaire was distributed online by snowball sampling in these two countries to assess knowledge, attitudes, risk perception and behaviour. SPSS version 24 was used for interpretative and descriptive data analysis, chi-square to measure significance and linear regression the strength of associations. p< 0.05 was used to define statistical significance. Four hundred and fifty three (453) responses were obtained from Trinidad and Tobago and 101 from the Bahamas. Knowledge and positive attitudes were high in both countries (75.5% vs. 80.2%, p< 0.001 and 96.6% vs. 100%, p< 0.001). A substantial proportion of respondents held the perception that the local blood donation system was safe or very safe (26.4 and 61.4%, p< 0.001) that was linked to the misconception that the prevalent method of blood donation was voluntary nonremunerated (27.8 and 51.4%, p< 0.001). Concerns about receiving blood were underpinned by mistrust of transfusion-related procedures. A social interface to transfer information between blood transfusion services and the community could encourage voluntary nonremunerated blood donation and reduce concerns about receiving transfusion.

Emotions and beliefs arising from replacement blood donation may hinder transitioning to exclusive voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation

AbstractBackground and objectivesFor many developing countries, achieving exclusive voluntary non‐remunerated blood donation requires converting an existing pool of family replacement donors consisting of individuals recruited by health professionals and persons they recruited. This study was done to evaluate emotions and beliefs in these two groups and their effect on future blood donor intentions.Materials and methodsCross‐sectional, descriptive, questionnaire‐based surveys were administered by two medical student research groups. Survey 1 assessed persons recruited by health professionals to serve as or recruit replacement donors and Survey 2, individuals recruited by patients or their relatives to be replacement donors.ResultsThe majority of Survey 1 participants experienced negative emotional reactions to being asked to solicit and actually asking persons to serve as family replacement donors (72·3% and 50·2%, respectively). The proportion that would serve as a replacement donor increased from 55·9% to 74·1% (P &lt; 0·001). Among Survey 2 participants, 61% (P &lt; 0·001) would more willingly donate blood if directly approached by the person in need.ConclusionEmotions and beliefs arising from family replacement donation encouraged future replacement donation intention.

Transfusion Related Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies and Possible Risk Factors in Healthy Blood Donors.

The main cause of transfusion associated hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is HCV infection. The present research was carried out to investigate the outbreak extent of anti–HCV antibodies among healthy blood donors attending the transfusion department at Khartoum hospitals. 3000 volunteer healthy blood donors participated in a cross–sectional study. Rapid test method was applied and positive samples were approved with the ELISA (fourth generation). SPSS software version 26 was used for statistical analysis of data. 0.5% of the research population was detected to have anti-HCV antibody. Donors (all male) were between 19–46 years old with mean age (1.95± 0.421SD). 2545 (84.8%) were volunteer, 455 (15.1%) were family replacement donors, 11 (0.36%) were positive among volunteer group, and most of the participants (0.16%) who were diagnosed with hepatitis C antibodies had history of cupping. 2265 (75%) of donors had a history of jaundices; only 13 (0.6%) statistically carried antibodies against HCV (P value 0.012). Sudanese blood donors had a low seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus; however, the existence of the virus and the likelihood of transmission and dissemination were confirmed. Hence, very rigorous guidelines are necessary for selecting blood donors. Furthermore, laboratory diagnostic tests for identifying infectious agents must be significantly enhanced

Sero-Epidemiology And Pattern Of Transfusion-Transmissible Infectious Diseases Among Family Replacement And Voluntary Blood Donors In Lagos University Teaching Hospital (2018-2019), South-West Nigeria

Abstract Introduction/Objective Despite innovations and giant strides achieved in medicine, blood transfusion has continually remained an integral aspect of patient care and management. Currently, blood and blood products are part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) model list of Essential Medicine (EML). However, despite being a ‘life saver’, potential risks of transfusion of fatal infections (TTI) are associated with its use, hence this study to evaluate the trend of TTI in blood donors. Methods In this study, 21,464 donors were screened for HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis between 2018 and 2019 via 4 th generation ELISA. Retrospective data was gotten from records. The results were read using a spectrophotometer. Optical Density was calculated for positive and negative controls and only results from runs in which controls had passed were used and released. Results Of the 21,464donors tested, 3818 (17%) were voluntary blood donors (VBD) and 17,646 (83%) were family replacement donors (FRP). Total number of TTI was 1928 (0.1%) of units donated. Of the screened units positive for TTI, HBV accounted for the highest prevalence 1031 (54%), HCV 498 (26%), HIV 246 (13%) and Syphilis 147 (8%). A much higher incidence of TTI sero-positivity was observed in FRP (85%) as compared with voluntary blood donors (15%). Cumulative discard rate from TTI was approximately 0.1%. Conclusion Our results in this study showed that FRP are more likely to transmit TTI than VBD. Blood transfusion services should work more on replacing family replacement donors with voluntary donors. This can be achieved by reinforcing the culture of voluntary blood donation through the media, secondary and higher institutions as well as through advocacy. Indeed the WHO recommends 100% voluntary blood donations for all nations.

Assessment of blood supply and usage pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic: A lesson from non-voluntary donation.

BackgroundEnsuring steady stream of safe blood is the ultimate goal of blood transfusion practice. The current COVID-19 pandemic has affected almost every part of life and economy. Consequently, this study sets off to assess the effect of the pandemic on blood supply and blood transfusion in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.MethodsData from the Donor Clinic and Blood Group Serology Unit of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital were retrospectively extracted to evaluate supply and use of blood before and during COVID-19 pandemic.ResultA total of 1638 donors were recorded within the study period. Age range 15–29 and 30–44 years constituted majority of the subjects (58.9% and 33.4%, respectively). The donor pool were male-dominated. Commercial donors (61.7%) and family replacement donors (30.6%) constituted majority of the donor pool. Most of the donor pool were students (37.1%), public servants (22.8%) and artisans (18.6%). A concomitant decrease of 26.1% and 18.9% were recorded in blood donation and request during the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionBlood supply was not significantly affected in our study center as both requests and donations decreased. Consideration for improving family replacement donation was advised.

Establishment of the first platelet-donor registry in Argentina.

Platelet transfusions are necessary to prevent and treat haemorrhages in thrombocytopenic patients or those with severe platelet dysfunction. In Latin American countries, including Argentina, blood supplies from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors remain dependent on family replacement donors, since altruistic repeat donors are exceptional and platelet donors are very scarce. The aim of this study was to recruit a group of frequent, voluntary, altruistic blood donors and determine their human platelet antigen (HPA)-genotype in order to establish the first registry of HPA-typed voluntary platelet donors in Argentina. In this study, we invited and recruited voluntary blood donors who attended the Fundación Banco Central de Sangre between July 2016 and July 2017. DNA was extracted from K2EDTA anticoagulated whole blood and genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction, using sequence-specific primers to type the HPA-1 to -6, -9 and -15 systems. A subset of samples was also tested using a commercial HPA-TYPE kit. Donors were invited to join the National Register of Haematopoietic Stem Cell Donors of Argentina. A cohort of 500 platelet donors was recruited and characterised and a database with their personal information, including their genotype for the most relevant HPA alloantigens, was created. Eight of the 500 donors (1.6%) were HPA-1a negative. HPA allelic variants -4b, -6b and -9b were detected for the first time in our population. There was 100% concordance between our in-house assay and the commercial kits in the subset of 150 donor samples assayed in parallel. The efforts made to recruit, characterise and register voluntary platelet donors will provide the first sustainable source of HPA and human leukocyte antigen-typed platelets for compatible transfusions in the country. Remarkably, we identified a higher percentage of HPA-1a-negative donors than previously detected in the Argentinean population.

The inconspicuous health benefit of blood donation

Background and Objectives: Regular blood donations seem to be beneficial to the health of donors in many ways. There is evidence to suggest that blood donation lowers blood viscosity and alters lipid profile, which is an acceptable parameter for assessing the risk of coronary heart disease. The objective of this study was to assess the pattern in changes of lipid profiles and hematocrit due to blood donation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, which comprises 289 apparently healthy male blood donors who were recruited as family replacement and nonvoluntary donors. Those who were ineligible for donation were excluded. Fasting venous blood samples were collected serially before phlebotomy, 1 h, 3 days, 6 days, 9 days, and 12 days after phlebotomy. Lipid profile and hematocrit were estimated appropriately. Results: The mean hematocrit, total cholesterol (T-Chol), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-Chol (HDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C), and triglycerides before donations were 32 ± 8 years, 0.46 ± 0.05, 5.04 ± 0.81 mmol/l 2.93 ± 0.56 mmol/l 1.35 ± 0.24 mmol/l, 0.76 ± 0.14 mmol/l, and 1.65 ± 0.29 mmol/l, respectively. Postdonation results indicated an increased in HDL-C and decreased in all the remaining parameters with time. There are statistically significant differences between the levels of the HDL-C (P

Characteristics of whole blood donors in a hospital‐based blood bank in Nigeria: a one‐year review

Characteristics of whole blood donors in a hospital‐based blood bank in Nigeria: a one‐year review

Transfusion-Transmissible Infections: Seroprevalence among Donors in an Egyptian University Blood Bank

Background: Blood safety is facing a major challenge in Egypt, having a high recorded prevalence of Hepatitis C virus antibodies (HCV Ab). Egypt is facing a new era after three years of starting the implementation of the new antivirals for HCV infected individuals and 25 years of the compulsory vaccination program of hepatitis B. Aim: to estimate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV, and Trepenoma Pallidum antibodies among blood donors in a university blood bank. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Suez Canal University blood bank based on official records. 53138 donors’ data were analyzed from Jan 2015 to July 2018. Results: Among blood donors the prevalence of HCV Ab and HBsAg was 1.87 % and 0.97% respectively. No recorded positive cases of either HIV Ag-Ab or syphilis antibodies among the donated blood in this period. Percentages of positive HBsAg among family replacement donors (RD) and volunteer donors (VD) were decreased from 1.1% and 1.17 % in 2015 to 0.91% and 0.96% in 2018. Moreover, seropositivity for HCV Ab was declined in both RD and VD from 3% and 2.5% in 2015 to 1.3% and 1.4% in 2018, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV and HBV is decreasing among blood donors and this may be attributed to the increasing awareness regarding blood-transmitted, hepatitis B vaccination, adherence to strict donation criteria, and introduction of oral direct acting antivirals.

Pattern of blood procurement and utilization in a university hospital in Southeast Nigeria

Background: Blood is a scarce commodity and every effort needs to be made to use it judiciously and avoid wastage. This study reviewed the pattern of blood procurement, ordering, and utilization at a hospital-based blood bank. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study in which data on blood procurement methods, pattern of requisition of blood, and outcome of issued blood were obtained from blood bank registers over a 2-year period at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital blood bank. Results: Approximately, 99% of donors were family replacement donors. In 2014, total blood donated was 4003 which exceeded the request for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion by 921 units. The highest request for blood was from the accident and emergency and 90% of blood issued were used. Overall percentage wasted of RBCs was 19.8% and the major contributors to these were antenatal clinic and labor ward both having 80% and 55.8% issued blood returned to blood bank unused. Conclusion: The proportion of wasted units of RBC is high. Designing and adhering to maximum blood ordering schedule and blood transfusion guidelines with efforts toward converting family replacement donors to voluntary blood donors will help in maintaining a steady supply of safe blood.

Blood donor safety, prevalence and associated factors for cytomegalovirus infection among blood donors in Minna-Nigeria, 2014.

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.

Prevalent hepatitis B surface antigen among first-time blood donors in Gabon.

Despite chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection being the main cause of younger-onset complex liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Africa, very little is known regarding the seroprevalence of HBV in the Gabonese general population. This investigation aimed to provide strong epidemiological data and risk factors associated with HBV infection in first-time blood donors representative of the urban adult population. The screening of HBsAg was carried out using 4th generation ELISA kits. The overall seroprevalence of HBsAg was 7.28%. The frequency of HBsAg was differential and marked by annual variations in blood donors from 2009 to 2016. Seroprevalence was 2-fold higher among males versus females (OR = 1.90 (95% CI: 1.75–2.06), P<0.001). HBsAg seroprevalence was significantly higher in donors of the age group 25–35 years old compared to donors of the age group <18 years (OR = 1.64 (95% CI: 1.03–2.60), P = 0.04). The seroprevalence of HBsAg in family/replacement donors (FRD) was significantly higher than that of voluntary non-remunerated donors (VNRD) (OR = 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83–0.94), P <0.001). The simultaneous comparison of HBsAg seroprevalence with blood donation type, gender and age showed that the higher prevalence in FRD was significant only in males between 18 and 45 years and in females between 25 and 34 years of age. This study confirms the high endemicity of HBV in Gabon while identifying the most infected age groups for both men and women.

Hidden dangers-prevalence of blood borne pathogens, hepatitis B, C, HIV and syphilis, among blood donors in Sierra Leone in 2016: opportunities for improvement: a retrospective, cross-sectional study.

IntroductionTransmissible blood-borne infections are a serious threat to blood transfusion safety in West African countries; and yet blood remains a key therapeutic product in the clinical management of patients. Sierra Leone screens blood donors for blood-borne infections but has not implemented prevention of mother-to-child transmission for hepatitis B. This study aimed to describe the overall prevalence of hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis among blood donors in Sierra Leone in 2016 and to compare the differences between volunteer versus family replacement donors, as well as urban versus rural donors.MethodsRetrospective, cross-sectional study from January-December 2016 in five blood bank laboratories across the country. Routinely-collected programme data were analyzed; blood donors were tested with rapid diagnostic tests-HBsAg for HBV, anti-HCV antibody for HCV, antibodies HIV1&2 for HIV and TPHA for syphilis.ResultsThere were 16807 blood samples analysed, with 80% from males; 2285 (13.6%) tested positive for at least one of the four pathogens. Overall prevalence was: 9.7% hepatitis B; 1.0% hepatitis C; 2.8% HIV; 0.8% syphilis. Prevalence was higher among samples from rural blood banks, the difference most marked for hepatitis C. The proportion of voluntary donors was 12%. Family replacement donors had a higher prevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV than volunteers.ConclusionA high prevalence of blood-borne pathogens, particularly hepatitis B, was revealed in Sierra Leone blood donors. The study suggests the country should implement the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B and push to recruit more volunteer, non-remunerated blood donors.