Prevalence of TTI among Indian blood donors

Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) such as human immune-deficiency virus (HIV-I/II), hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Malaria parasite (MP) and syphilis can spread through contaminated blood or blood products. The present study was designed to analyze the prevalence of TTIs and their association with blood group, among the blood donors of Delhi. Blood group was determined by hem-agglutination using Gel card. HIV, HBV, and HCV test was performed by ELISA, syphilis by RPR and MP rapid card method. A total Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTIs) such as human immune-deficiency virus (HIV-I/II), hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Malaria parasite (MP) and syphilis can spread through contaminated blood or blood products. The present study was designed to analyze the prevalence of TTIs and their association with blood group, among the blood donors of Delhi. Blood group was determined by hem-agglutination using Gel card. HIV, HBV, and HCV test was performed by ELISA, syphilis by RPR and MP rapid card method. A total of 345(2.038%) blood donors were positive for TTIs. Prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV-I/II, syphilis and MP were 188(1.111%), 73(0.431%), 34(0.201%), 49(0.29%) and 1(0.006%) respectively. Our result shows a trend of decrease in prevalence of TTIs; 2.267%, 2.111% and 1.614% between the year 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Significant association of syphilis infection (P=0.036) and HCV infection (P=0.012) with ABO blood group antigen was observed. Blood group O donors were 1.81 times more infected with syphilis compared to donor having A and B antigen. Donors having blood group antigen B were 1.80 times more infected with HCV compared to donor not having B antigen. HBV and HIV prevalence found to be not associated with ABO and Rh blood group antigens. A low prevalence of TTIs positivity was observed among blood donors. Public awareness, proper counseling, medical examination and testing can help to minimize TTIs. Our study results shows ABO blood group has an association with HCV and VDRL infection.