ABSTRACT
Background: During recent years, many cases of dengue virus transmission, through blood transfusion have been reported, including two cases from Karachi, Pakistan. NS1 antigen detection in blood donors can serve as a rapid mean for detection of acute dengue infection thus could prevent transmission through blood donation by affected individuals
Objectives: The aim of this study was to screen high risk blood donors for active dengue infection during an outbreak in the city of Rawalpindi and rejection of NS1-positive donors to save patients from dengue infected transfusions
Subjects and Methods: After approval from the IRB Shaikh Zayed Hospital, high risk blood donors during the outbreak were identified in blood banks of selected government hospitals. The objective of the study was explained and an informed consent was obtained from each participant. Blood sample of 3cc was drawn at the time of cross-match. Serum was separated and analyzed for dengue NS1 Ag. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0
Results: Overall 600 blood donors were included in the survey with the majority of male participants [n=583] than female participants [n=17]. Most of the blood donors [57.8%] were falling in the age group of less than 30 years and highest donations were from [B] positive blood group followed by [O] positive and [AB] negative with least donations. None of the sample screened positive for NS1 antigen
Conclusion: Blood of high risk asymptomatic donors taken were having no dengue NS1 Ag positivity