Safety improving by complementary serological and molecular testing combined with pathogen reduction of the donated blood in window period

Transfusion-transmissible infections among Serbian blood donors: declining trends over the period 2005-2017

BACKGROUND

The mass migrations experienced by the Western Balkans in the past decades have significantly changed the demographic structures and have probably altered the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) among blood donors. However, data on the prevalence of TTIs in the Western Balkans countries remain incomplete. This study reports the prevalence of TTIs among blood donors in Serbia in the period 2005-2017.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2005 and December 2017, in the four largest Serbian transfusion centres, mandatory serology tests for screening HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis infection were used for all blood donations.

RESULTS

Of the total of 1,660,019 blood donations made, 3,377 (0.203%) were positive for one of the TTIs: 1,440 (0.087%), 1,055 (0.064%), 215 (0.013%), and 667 (0.040%) were positive for HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis, respectively. Serbia showed a declining trend of prevalence of HBV and HCV infection, while prevalence of HIV and syphilis remained unchanged. Prevalence of TTIs varied between different transfusion centres and showed a north-to-south upward trend.

DISCUSSION

The reported prevalence of TTIs among blood donors in Serbia was low and continued to follow a declining trend over the period of study.

Blood donors' positivity for transfusion-transmissible infections: the Serbian Military Medical Academy experience

BACKGROUND

Members of armed forces worldwide are considered to be very susceptible to sexually transmitted infections, thus falling into a high-risk group of blood donors regarding transfusion-transmissible infections. In the Serbian Military Medical Academy a significant number (44% for the period 2005-2013) of blood donations were from members of the Serbian Army. The aim of this study was to determine the significance of military blood donors for the safety of blood transfusion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 2005 and December 2013, a total of 155,479 blood donations were tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis using serological assays (enzyme immunoassays, chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay and western blot) and molecular testing (polymerase chain reaction analysis).

RESULTS

The percentage of blood donations positive for transfusion-transmissible infections in the estimated period was 0.38%, and the percentage of HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis positive blood donations was 0.20%, 0.12%, 0.005% and 0.06%, respectively. During that period, the percentage of all transfusion-transmissible infections, and in particular of HBV and HCV, declined significantly. In contrast, the percentage of HIV and syphilis positive blood donations remained unchanged. Higher rates of positivity for transfusion-transmissible infections in blood donations from members of the Serbian Army were not found, especially after mandatory military service was abolished in 2009.

DISCUSSION

The reported rate of positivity for transfusion-transmissible infections in blood donations from the Military Medical Academy was considered low. This information is of great significance for further implementation of public health measures.