title: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity and hepatitis B surface antigenemia (HBSAG) among blood donors in Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B virus are blood borne pathogens that can be transmitted through blood transfusion and could pose a huge problem in areas where mechanisms of ensuring blood safety are suspect. This study became necessary in a population where most of the blood for transfusion is from commercial blood donors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 130 donors comprising 120 commercial donors and 10 voluntary donors were tested for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B surface antigen in Benin city using Immunocomb HIV - 1 and 2 Biospot kit and Quimica Clinica Aplicada direct latex agglutination method respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen (10%) samples were HIV seropositive and 7(5.8%) were HBsAg positive. The age bracket 18 - 25years had the highest numbers of donors and also had the highest number of HBsAg positive cases (7.8%) while the age group 29 - 38years had highest number of HIV seropositive cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High prevalence of HIV antibodies and Hepatitis B surface antigen was found among commercial blood donors. Appropriate and compulsory screening of blood donors using sensitive methods, must be ensured to prevent post transfusion hepatitis and HIV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Edo State, Nigeria. Larison86@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Patience Idia
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Umolu
authors.forename: Lawrence Ehis
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Okoror
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orhue
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens