SEROPREVALENCE OF TRANSFUSION-TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (TTIS) AMONG BLOOD DONORS: A SEROLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: The risks of blood transfusion include the possibility of contracting infections called transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, malaria, and Syphilis. It is important to screen all donated blood for these infections before transfusion to reduce these risks. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, malaria, and syphilis infection among HIV, HCV, and HBV-positive donors with positive serology who turned up for donation. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted to find the seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) in all blood donors who appeared in the blood bank Chughtai Lab in 6 months period (December 2025 to May 2026). It comprised 18- to 60-year-old donors (excluding medically deferred donors). Anti-HCV, anti-HIV, and HBsAg were determined by CLIA, and syphilis and malaria were screened by the RPR test and rapid immunochromatographic card, respectively. Results: Overall, 2,809 blood donors were screened for transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). Out of these, 115 donors (4.1%) were positive for one or more infections, all of whom were male. The most common infections among them were HCV (42.6%), syphilis (32.17%), HBV (21.7%), and HIV (3.47%), with no cases of malaria found. Conclusion: Transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) are important blood safety concerns. There is a need to improve donor selection, screening, and voluntary low-risk donation to ensure the blood supply.