1260. Seroprevalence of Transfusion–Transmissible Infections (HBV, HCV, HIV, and Syphilis) Among Voluntary Blood Donors in Eastern Regional Blood Center Sri Lanka; A 4 Years Evaluation

Abstract

Background. Blood transfusion can be a lifesaving intervention and it may result in acute or delayed complications and carries the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections such as HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, malaria, etc. as well as hemolysis. Therefore, Blood safety remains a major public health problem in many developing countries owing to inadequacies of national blood transfusion policies and services, appropriate infrastructures, qualified personnel and financial resources. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the sereprevelance of transfusion -transmissible infections such as HBV,HCV,HIV and Syphilis among voluntary blood donors in Eastern Regional blood center on behalf of accessing and recommending safe transfusion in the region. Methods. A retrospective analysis of blood donor data from January 2015 to December 2018 was conducted in Eastern Regional Blood center. Serum samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies and antigens to hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1 and 2 and Treponema pallidum using commercially available immunochromatic based kits. Relevant confirmatory test for each infective marker were carried out for repeated reactive samples. Results. During this study period ELISA screening testing was performed on 56079 blood donors. At baseline screening testing and confirmatory testing revealed that, 7 HBsAg, 10 anti-HCV, and 03 anti-HIV and 9 Treponema pallidum positive results were detected. The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV, syphilis and HIV were 0.012%, 0.017 0.005% and 0.016%.All blood donor were voluntary nonremunerate. Conclusion. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, syphilis and HIV have not remained a big threat to safe blood transfusion in this region compared with some countries across the globe where the results were very high. Comparing with well-developed services the result are more closed with their findings and therefore, safe transfusion practices are established. The reasons for this results may be complex and low prevalence rate in this population with strict adherence to selection criteria and algorithm of donor screening would be the main reasons of this findings.