Seroprevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors in the Hohoe Municipality Hospital, Ghana: 2015-2016: a retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study

Introduction: unsafe blood remains a major threat to the global spread of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs). Blood is usually tested for four TTIs: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Syphilis before transfusion. This study determined the trends of transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors in the Hohoe Municipal Hospital, Ghana from 2015 to 2016. Methods: a total of 3,173 blood donor records were reviewed for the presence of anti-HIV 1/2 IgG/IgM, HBV, anti-HCV IgG/IgM, and anti-Treponema pallidum IgG/IgM/IgA, using commercial ELISA kits following standard protocols. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata version 14.0 at the level 0.05 Results: seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis were 3.9% 5.0%, 4.2% and 5.2% respectively. Females were 30% less likely to be infected with Syphilis (OR=0.3; 95% CI: (0.15-0.69); p=0.004); donors aged 20-29 years were 60% less likely to be infected with HIV than those less than 20 years (OR=0.6; 95% CI: (0.04-0.99); p=0.049), while those aged 30-39 years were 90% more likely to be infected with Syphilis than those less than 20 years (OR=1.9; 95% CI: (1.23-3.20) p=0.005) and those aged 40-49 years were 2 times more likely to get infected with HBV than those less than 20 years (OR=2.2; 95% CI: (1.17-4.04)); p=0.013). Conclusion: males presented higher prevalence of Syphilis and all TTIs were recorded highest among young adults. It is important to continue screening donated blood with highly sensitive tests and to sensitize young adults, especially females on the importance of blood donation

Medical selection effectiveness inassessing the risk of HIV transmission in blood transfusion in Antananarivo Madagascar

Un défi auquel fait face un centre de transfusion en Afrique consiste à assurer une sécurité transfusionnelle optimale. Il est estimé que 25% des dons de sang collectés en Afrique sub-saharienne francophone sont infectés par des agents viraux (HIV, HBV, HCV), parasitaires (Plasmodium spp., microfilaires) et bactériennes. Méthode : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective descriptive effectuée au CRTS Analamanga. L'étude concerne tous les dons enregistrés au CRTS Analamanga durant l'année 2013 et l'année 2014. La prévalence du VIH chez les donneurs de sang durant ces deux périodes a été comparée à celle rapportée dans la population générale. Nous avons comparé la prévalence du VIH au niveau du CRTS en utilisant le test de l'écart-réduit avec les données du SE/CNLS 2013 pour l'année 2013 et les données du SE/CNLS 2014 pour l'année 2014. Résultats: Le nombre de total de dons pour l'année 2013 était de 14316. La prévalence du VIH était de 0,78% (112/14316) (ℇ = 5,46). Pour l'année 2014, le nombre total de dons était de 16551 donnant une prévalence du VIH de 0,28% (472/16551) (ℇ = 0,31) Conclusion : La sélection médicale est le seul moyen le plus efficace pour la réduction des IT par le sang en transfusion en Afrique et à Madagascar. La sélection médicale du donneur avec le questionnaire actuel est inefficace pour diminuer le risque de la transmission du VIH par la transfusion sanguine. Une élaboration d'un nouveau questionnaire est urgente. L'adoption des stratégies adaptées aux réalités locales est bénéfique pour le pays

A review of blood transfusions in a trauma unit for young children

Background. Trauma is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Blood transfusions play an incremental role in the acute phase, yet practice varies owing to variations in transfusion thresholds and concerns about potential complications, especially in children.Objectives. To evaluate protocol adherence to blood transfusion thresholds in paediatric trauma patients and determine the degree of blood product wastage, as defined by discarded units.Methods. A retrospective, descriptive study of trauma patients (age 0 - 13 years) who received a blood transfusion in the trauma unit at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, over a 5.5-year period (1 January 2009 - 1 July 2014). Haemoglobin (Hb) transfusion thresholds were defined as 10 g/dL for neurotrauma patients and patients requiring skin grafting or a musculocutaneous flap (group 1). All other trauma patients had an Hb transfusion threshold of 7 g/dL (group 2).Results. A total of 144 patients were included (mean age 5.2 years (standard deviation (SD) 3.3), 68.1% male). The mean Hb increase after transfusion was 3.5 g/dL (SD 1.7). Adherence to the transfusion Hb threshold protocol was 96.7% for group 1 v. 34.0% for group 2. No complications were reported. Average blood wastage was 3.5 units per year during the study period.Conclusions. Adherence to paediatric blood transfusion protocol was low in the Hb threshold group <7 g/dL. However, transfusion-related complications and wastage were minimal. Further prospective research is required to determine optimal blood transfusion guidelines for paediatric trauma patients

Pattern; Indications and Review of Complications of Neonatal Blood Transfusion in Ibadan; Southwest Nigeria

Background and objectives: There is a huge need for blood transfusion in the newborn particularly due to the reduced marrow activity in the neonatal period. Despite widely use of blood products in the neonatal period; there is paucity of local data on the pattern; indications and reactions to blood transfusions in Nigerian newborns. This study evaluates the blood transfusion indications and patterns in special care baby unit and C12nd of University College Hospital; Ibadan; Nigeria. Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried on the recruited newborns and structured questionnaires were used to obtain bio data; medical problems; indications for blood transfusion; type of blood products transfused and clinical signs. Urinalysis was performed out before and after the transfusion. Results: A total of 100 neonates were recruited into the study with a male: female ratio of (M: F= 1:1). The age range was 2-34 days and their weight ranged between 0.8kg to 3.6 kg with a mean weight of 1.64 kg. The main indications for transfusion were anaemia from prematurity et neonatal sepsis(NNS) 46; (red cell replacement); NNS; Disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC) et anaemia 24; (partial exchange + top up + Fresh frozen plasma); neonatal jaundice(NNJ) et anaemia 14; (whole blood); NNJ; NNS + anaemia 6(Blood transfusion + Fresh frozen plasma); NNS + anaemia 10(whole blood). Conclusion: Blood transfusion is still frequent in the study area and prematurity; neonatal sepsis and jaundice rank high in the indications. Transfusion reactions are rare in the evaluated neonates

Allergic Transfusion Reactions in a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Allergic reaction is a recognized cause of morbidity in clinical blood transfusion. Few studies have characterised the presentation of this adverse reaction in the general population of transfusion recipients in Nigerians. Aim: To determine the patterns of presentation of allergic transfusion reactions in both adult and paediatric blood /blood products recipients in this environment. Methods: Using a haemovigilance report form; we prospectively evaluated the presentation of allergic transfusion reactions among transfusion recipients. Information obtained include: age; sex; blood component transfused; history of atopy in the patient or family. Detailed clinical examination and review of the recipients was done from the commencement of the transfusion episode up till 24 hrs after the completion of the transfusion. Results: A total of 462 consecutive transfusion episodes were evaluated for allergic events. Including 101 children and 157 adults. The results show that allergic transfusion reactions are not uncommon in the population. The overall incidence of allergic transfusion reactions was 2.8. The commonest allergic symptom seen was pruritus. There was no significant statistical difference in the overall incidence of allergy between adult and paediatric transfusion recipients. Pattern of the specific allergic symptoms differ between the two subpopulations with peri-orbital oedema seen exclusively in children. Atopic paediatric transfusion recipients are at higher risk of allergic reactions than adults ( p=0.05). Conclusion: Incidence of allergic transfusion reactions is similar in black adult and paediatric transfusion recipients. Improvement in blood transfusion practice through enhanced component transfusion will reduce the incidence in transfusion recipients