Prevalence of transfusion-associated viral infections and syphilis among blood donors in Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the seroprevalence of the main transfusion-associated viral infections and syphilis among blood donors in Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es salaam, Tanzania.


METHODS
Cross sectional study.


METHODS
The blood bank unit of Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.


METHODS
A consecutive sample of 300 blood donors.


METHODS
Search for the presence of antibodies to: human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV), hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (anti-HTLV-1), syphilis and for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg).


RESULTS
The overall frequency of anti-HIV, anti-HCV, anti-HBs, HbsAg, anti-HTLV-1, and syphilis antibodies were 8.7%, 8%, 20%, 11%, 0%, and 12.7%, respectively. Among the HIV seronegative donors, the frequency of anti-HCV, anti-HBs, HBsAg, anti-HTLV-1, and syphilis antibodies were 8.8%, 22%, 11%, 0%, and 10.9%, respectively. HIV-seropositive donors had an increased risk for being positive for syphilis antibodies (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.4-9.0) and HBsAg (OR = 4.0, 95% CI 1.0-18.8), but not anti-HCV (OR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.86-0.97), anti-HBs (OR = 1.0, 95% CI 0.2-5.3) or anti-HTLV-1 (OR = 0.0).


CONCLUSIONS
Donor blood including that from HIV-seronegative donors, has high frequency of HCV, HBV, and syphilis antibodies but not anti-HTLV-1. A significant association exists in the occurrence of HIV, HBV and syphilis; and due to the association of syphilis and HIV, clients with history of sexually transmitted disease should be excluded during donor selection. From these observations were recommend: (i) routine screening of donor blood for HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis antibodies but not HTLV-1 and; (ii) a larger study to generate more accurate estimates of the magnitude the transfusion-transmissible infectious diseases.
Matee
M I
MI
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Lyamuya
E F
EF
Mbena
E C
EC
Magessa
P M
PM
Sufi
J
J
Marwa
G J
GJ
Mwasulama
O J
OJ
Mbwana
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001771:Blood Banks; D001782:Blood Donors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens