title: Changing trends of transfusion transmitted viral infections among blood donors in the last decade-a 10-year study in a large tertiary care blood bank (2000-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main blood borne viruses' viz. hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), are a major public health issue, and represent significant causes of morbidity and mortality associated with transfusion. This study analysed the trends of blood borne infections among blood donors in a large blood bank in the last 10 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Viral screening results of 80,500 voluntary and replacement donations from 2000 to 2009 were analysed. All donations were screened for HBV, HCV, and HIV. The seroprevalence rate of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections and 95% confidence interval were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The seroprevalence rate of HBV, HIV, and HCV, decreased during the last 10-years study from 2000 to 2009. There is significant and impressive decrease in HBV seroprevalence rate from 2.39% in 2000 to 1.28% in 2009. The seroprevalence rate of HIV appeared to have decreased with a very significant value from 1.32% to 0.30% in 2009. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence rate showed a slight decline in blood donations from 0.48% in 2001 to 0.22% in 2009.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a general reduction in the seroprevalence rate of viral infections. This is probably because of discouragement of professional or paid donations; better awareness, better prophylactic measures, and availability of vaccines have played a major role.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Transfusion Medicine, AFMC, Pune - 40.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Philip
authors.affiliation: Professor & Head, Department of Transfusion Medicine, AFMC, Pune - 40.
authors.forename: Rs
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarkar
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist, INHS Asvini, Mumbai.
authors.forename: Satish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of Transfusion Medicine, AFMC, Pune - 40.
authors.forename: Amardeep
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pathak
keywords: transfusion transmitted infections