The Impact of COVID-19 on Blood Transfusion Services: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: While SARS-CoV-2’s main transmission route is through respiratory droplets, research has found that viral RNA could be detected in blood samples, causing concerns over the safety of blood donations and blood products. This paper therefore aims to systematically search for studies that have addressed their country’s lack of donations and analyse the risk of blood transfusion-transmission. As such, it will answer the question “should blood services focus more on donation vigilance or worry more about the risks of transmission through blood products?” Methods: 38 articles were identified through a systematic review adopting the PRISMA and STROBE guidelines. Meta-analysis was conducted using OpenMeta software. Results: The average decrease in blood donations was found to be 38%, with some regions showing up to 67% decrease. To assess the risk of actual blood transfusion-transmission, three datasets were analysed. Firstly, the viral load in COVID-19 patients was studied and found to have less than 1% detection rate (ARD = −0.831, 95% −0.963, −0.699). Secondly, the prevalence of finding viral RNA in a pool of donations was nearly −1.503 (ARD = −1.538, −1.468). Lastly, recipients who were given blood products of positive donors were found to be −0.911 (ARD 95% = –1.247, −0.575). Discussion/Conclusion: Blood centres should focus more on launching initiatives and policies that would increase their countries’ blood supply as the virus has no direct threat to blood safety.

The Pre-Vaccination Donated Blood Is Free from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) but Is Rich with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies: A Cross-Section Saudi Study

“…The rRT-PCR analysis revealed that all of the tested donated blood samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the current study. This is consistent with two recent studies [ 27 , 28 ]. Owusu and his colleagues tested plasma from SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals in Ghana, but they found SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in only 1.03% of the tested plasma samples, concluding that blood transfusion is negligible risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 transmission [ 27 ].…”

“…Although coronaviruses typically infect the respiratory tract, viral shedding in serum or plasma is to be expected. This raises concerns about the safety of donated blood products, because it is primarily dependent on voluntary blood donors [ 27 , 28 ]. Given the increasing number of asymptomatic [ 11 , 12 , 13 ] and reactivated SARS-CoV-2 cases [ 14 , 15 ], blood safety and coronaviruses should be prioritized, particularly in high-risk areas [ 10 ].…”

“…Owusu and his colleagues tested plasma from SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals in Ghana, but they found SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in only 1.03% of the tested plasma samples, concluding that blood transfusion is negligible risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 transmission [ 27 ]. A systematic review and meta-analysis also revealed that SARS-CoV-2 poses no direct threat to blood safety [ 28 ]. On the other hand, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been found in the blood at varying levels in some published studies [ 39 , 40 ].…”

Exploring the unseen effect of COVID 19 pandemic on blood transfusion services in a tertiary care centre

“…With evidence that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmissible by asymptomatic individuals and the majority of the individuals being asymptomatic, a threat to blood supply was looming large. While elective procedures were put on hold to deal with the unprecedented crisis in hospitals, shortages of blood for emergencies and multi-transfused patients were reported from major healthcare centres across many countries [1] .…”

The impact of facemasks on blood donation process: The professionals' perspective

“…A systematic review on the impact of COVID-19 on blood transfusion services revealed a 38% decrease in blood donation compared to the prepandemic period (Chiem et al, 2021). Chandler et al (2021) surveyed 1205 European blood donors and found a decrease in the frequency of blood donation and a reduced likelihood to donate in donors with higher adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures.…”