Changing Trends of Transfusion Transmissible Infections in Blood Donors in Vidharbha Region: A Retrospective Study of Thirteen Years

Abstract

Introduction: Blood Transfusion is the integral part of modern medicine. Aim of the study was to assess the changing trends in the prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections in blood donors during last 13 years. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at blood bank of Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College Yavatmal, Maharashta. A total of 111462 donors were screened over a period of thirteen years. Results: A declining trend was observed in all transfusion associated infections among the donors. The overall seropositivity of HIV, HBV, HCV, VDRL and Malaria was found to be 0.46%, 1.27%, 0.06%, 0.12%, 00% respectively. Conclusion: Prevalence of HIV infection is decreasing in the blood donors as a result of drastic measures to combat the disease in general population.The HBV infection still remains a menace to be tackled, HCV, Syphlis and malaria maintain a low rate of positivity in rural India.

Prevalence and Trends of Blood Transfusion Transmitted Infections: Comparative Study between the Blood Bank of a Private and Government Medical College in South Karnataka

“…In the present study, overall prevalence of HCV in Private Medical college was 0.09%, ranging from 0% in 2010 to 0.13% in 2018; whereas in Government Medical college the prevalence was 0.09% ranging from 0.11% in 2010 to 0.04% in 2018. Decreasing trend of HCV infection as shown by Government Medical college correlated well with study done by Bharti K S et al 10 and Sharma D C et al, [12]. Increasing trend of HCV infection was observed in a study done by Siraj N et al, [9] ranging from 0.3% in 2010 to 2.1% in 2016.…”

“…In the present study, none of the donors were tested positive for Malaria in both the blood bank. Bharti K S et al, [10] in the study period of 13yrs also showed that Malaria was not detected in any of the donors. Both in Private Medical college blood bank and Government Medical college blood bank majority donors were detected to have Hepatitis B infection with a prevalence of 0.67% and 1.07% respectively.…”

Recent Trends and Practices in Blood Transfusion

“…Cryoprecipitate is a product of fresh frozen plasma which is thawed and sediment is collected, for use in severe bleeding, disseminated intravascular coagulation, as it is rich in factor 8 and fibrinogen, which raises fibrinogen by upto 10mg/dl 20 .Granulocyte concentrates are obtained from Apheresis machine and is indicated for short term in patients with severe infections with low granulocyte levels who are unresponsive to antibiotics of choice 21 .The type of transfusion related diseases detected in blood bank varies in accordance with region across the world. In a study from university hospital from India prevalence ranged from 0.5% to 0.25 % ,with HIV as the fore runner and syphilis as the last 22 .In another large retrospective study from teaching hospital in India it was found that prevalence of HIV is 0.46% and syphilis is 0.12% suggesting the role of stringent public health measures taken for the decreased trend in these diseases while HBV infection still remains as a problem to be dealt with 23 .In a study from Qatar it was found that prevalence for HCV is relative high [0.6%] ,while for Malaria it is [0.20%],and HTLV infection prevalence showed an increasing trend 24 .In another study from Saudi Arabia low prevalence was noted for HBV and HCV when the donors were screened by combined serological[for antibody detection]and Nucleic Acid Detection [for Antigen detection] pointing to the effectiveness of this strategy in donor screening 25 .In a review study from a premier institute in India to assess the problems faced during Covid pandemic by blood banks and the recommended steps to overcome these difficulties has revealed the following deficiencies [Blood and its products , staff/donor availability and safety, convalescent plasma ,consumables ],which would be overcome by early planning at start of pandemic ,adequate sterilization of staff /donors along with use of PPE , proper disposal of blood bank waste following the covid norms ,involvement of NGO 26 .Study from USA regards to preventive measures adopted during Covid pandemic in blood banks has suggested that all blood banks should adhere to FDA regulations in place for Covid control and also for asymptomatic possible Covid donors screening is recommended to rule out Covid 19 diagnosis for blood bank safety 27 .Cord blood use has revolutionized the principles of transplantation especially as an alternative to haematopoietic stem cell transplant, with its ready to use availability ,access to wide population and long term availability. The technicalities and quality control should be followed stringently for better outcomes .The technique of cord blood collection involves cord clamping and aspiration ,with an ideal sample consisting of 20-64 CD 34 cells per micro litre as the CD 34 gives the yield of CFU ,it is important to maintain this count by Flow cytometry along with temperature maintenance of -130 0 c.In addition tests should be performed to screen for infections and genetic diseases along with tests for identification such as HLA,ABO ,gender 28 .In a study from Brazil about outcomes and deaths in transfused patients ,it was found that patients who were admitted in hospital, with underlying conditions ,those who were given multiple transfusions and with varied components along with increasing age were the determinants with a relative mortality of 24% and Neoplastic disease accounting for major indication [28%] ,whi...…”