Seroprevalence of Transfusion Transmitted Infections Amongst Blood Donors in Muzaffarnagar–A Study in a Tertiary Care Centre from Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Introduction - A transfusion transmitted infection (TTI) is caused by virus, parasite or other pathogen and can be transmitted to a recipient via transfusion of the infected donated blood. TTI includes mainly Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, Syphilis and Malaria. Blood transfusion is crucial component in the treatment of various diseases. Major concern is the asymptomatic stage in which infection can be transmitted to the recipient. To minimize this, Donor deferral criteria has been established and implemented.Objective - Objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of TTI in the tertiary care hospital of western Uttar Pradesh.Materials and Methods – The present hospital based cross- sectional study was conducted in the Blood Bank, Department of Pathology, Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar from May 2019 to April 2020. During this period, 2887 blood units were screened.Results – Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis was observed to be 0.13%, 1.73%, 2.14% and 0.69% respectively. Seroprevalence for Malaria was nil as no donor was tested positive for Malaria. Majority of the donors were males forming male female ratio of 61.7 : 1 and belonged to the 2nd and 3rd decade. Seroprevalence of TTI was higher in replacement donors than the voluntary donors but this is not statistically significant.Conclusion- Screening of the blood products is essential to decrease the risk of TTI. Promotion of voluntary blood donation and discouragement of professional blood donation are also helpful.