Patterns of Transfusion Transmitted Infection in Past Ten Years Among Voluntary Blood Donors In Chennai- A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Transfusion transmitted infection (TTI) is a major challenge to the transfusion services all over the world and a major problem in India. The problem of TTI is directly proportionate to the prevalence of the infections in the Blood donor community. It has been made Mandatory to screen for HIV, HBV, HCV, SYPHILIS and MALARIA in India. Hepatitis B and C infections are prevalent in India and carrier rate is about 1-5% and 1%, respectively. Because of low viraemia and the mutant strains are undetectable by routine ELISA, Incidence of Post transfusion hepatitis B&C in India is about 10% only.HIV prevalence among blood donors is different in various parts of the country.. The Department of Transfusion Medicine, at Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R.Medical University through Voluntary blood donation camps, collected 25,000 number of blood units for the past ten years from 2001-2012.Methods: Five ml of blood was collected from each donor, the serum was separated and subjected to screening for "HIV,HBV,HCV, SYPHILIS and MALARIA".. The methods used were ELISA techniques for "HIV, HBV and HCV".Detection for malarial parasites was done by thick film examination and for syphilis, VDRL method was used. Results: Out of 25,000 donors, HIV was 0.01%, HCV-0.08%, HBsAg 0.74% and VDRL Reactivity was 0.03%. None of them were positive for Malaria. Conclusion: Proper vigilance and quality control is needed to prevent this problem. Current syphilis tests may not be sensitive but it should be continued to exclude high-risk donors. Malaria is a real problem for India due to the lack of a simple and sensitive screening test. Total dependence of altruistic repeat voluntary donors and use of sensitive laboratory tests may help Indian blood transfusion services to reduce the incidences of TTIs.