Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C viruses and syphilis among blood donors in Koudougou (Burkina Faso) in 2009

• Published in: Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue 2011-10, Vol.9 (4), p.419-424
• Main Authors: Nagalo, Marius Bolni, Sanou, Mahamoudou, Bisseye, Cyrille, Kaboré, Marilène Inès, Nebie, Yacouba K, Kienou, Kisito, Kiba, Alice, Dahourou, Honorine, Ouattara, Siaka, Zongo, Jean Didier, Simporé, Jacques
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Blood Donors - statistics & numerical data; Burkina Faso - epidemiology; Female; Hepatitis B - blood; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis C - blood; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; HIV Infections - blood; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Seroprevalence; Humans; Male; Original; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Syphilis - blood; Syphilis - epidemiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1723-2007
• DOI: 10.2450/2011.0112-10

The high prevalence of numerous transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and syphilis in sub-Saharan Africa affects the safety of blood for recipients. This study was undertaken with the aim of determining the seroprevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, syphilis and socio-demographic risk factors associated with blood donation in a new regional blood transfusion centre in Burkina Faso. Sera samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to HCV, HIV types 1 and 2 and to Treponema pallidum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Rapid Plasma Reagin test (RPR) respectively. All the reactive samples for HIV, HBsAg, and HCV were confirmed using a second enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Antibodies to Treponema pallidum were confirmed with a Treponema pallidum haemagglutination test (TPHA). From the total of 4,520 blood donors in 2009, 1,348 (29.82%) were infected with at least one pathogen and 149 (3.30%) had serological evidence of multiple infections. The overall seroprevalence rate of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis was 2.21%, 14.96%, 8.69% and 3.96%, respectively. Among blood donors with multiples infections, the most common dual or triple combinations were HBsAg-HCV (1.39%), HBsAg-syphilis (0.66%) and HBsAg-HCV-syphilis (0.11%). The highest prevalences of HBsAg and HIV were found among blood donors from rural areas and in the age groups of 20-29 years and >40 years old, respectively. HBV and HCV remain the greatest threats to blood safety in Burkina Faso. Strict selection and retention of voluntary, non-remunerated low-risk blood donors are recommended to improve blood safety in the regional blood transfusion centre of Koudougou.