Seroprevalence and trends of anti- Hepatitis C antibodies among voluntary blood donors in a tertiary care hospital blood bank in South India
Journal Title: Medpulse International Journal of Pathology - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: The transfusion of blood and its components is life saving but each transfusion has its own risks of adverse effects including the transmission of Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTI). The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies in voluntary blood donors at our Blood Bank and to evaluate the trends since the start of HCV screening i.e. from 2001 to 2017. Methods: This was a retrospective study done in The Government Rajaji Hospital Blood Bank, Madurai, South India. The departmental records for the study period were scrutinized and the number of donors found seropositive in each year was determined. Results: Of the 285322 voluntary lood donors, 1082 donors were found to reactive for anti HCV antibodies (0.38%). A statistically significant increasing trend of HCV seropositivity (P < 0.05) was observed during the period 2001 to 2008, with a peak of 1.3% in 2008. Thereafter a statistically significant decreasing trend (P<0.05) was observed from 2008 to 2017. Discussion: Our seroprevalence (0.38%) is similar to that of some other studies from Delhi, Barielly, Western India and Mysore. Though some earlier studies show an increasing trend in seroprevalence, the present study shows an initial increase with decreasing trends after 2008. However as HCV infection is potentially life threatening and no vaccine is available at present, predonation counseling and stringent screening measures should be enhanced to further control this infection.
Authors and Affiliations
Mercy Joyston, M Sintha
Keywords
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- EP ID EP457931
- DOI 10.26611/105714
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