Role of Demographic Factors on Seroprevalence of Transfusion Transmitted Infections among Blood Donors in Delhi, India - A Four Years Retrospective Study

Background: Blood donors belong to a heterogeneous group of people in society, differing in their demographic characteristics and the psychological factors that motivate their behavior. It is important to analyze the various blood donor characteristics in order to manage blood donor programmes. Blood safety and blood supply are profoundly impacted by method of recruitment, specific health history taking and blood screening.Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the role of various demographic factors lie age, sex and occupation on the seroprevalence of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) among the blood donors at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi over a period of 4 years. Methods: A 4 year retrospective study was conducted at the blood bank of a tertiary care hospital. All data were collected from blood bank records and included records of 1347 voluntary and 7451 replacement donors from January 2014 to December 2017. Screening of blood units was done by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) method for Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Syphilis was tested by rapid plasma resin (RPR) card test. Malaria was tested by antigen rapid diagnostic test. Any sample found reactive was retested for confirmation. Results: Total 8798 blood donor’s samples were analyzed. 4.27% were female and 95.73% were male. Among the 8798 blood donors, 128 blood donors were positive, prevalence of TTIs was at 1.45 %. The overall positivity rates of anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-TP and MP were 0.19%, 0.80%, 0.40%, 0.06 % and 0.01% respectively. The prevalence of TTIs was 1.47% for male and 1.06 % for female in the donation population, the prevalence of TTI positive donations was highest in age group of 51-60 years. Regarding occupation, farmers showed the highest incidence (3.36%) of TTIs while businessmen (1.16%) ranked as the bottom. Conclusion: Overall prevalence of TTI is more in voluntary blood donors as compared to replacement donors. Women are safer donors as compared to males. The prevalence of TTI positive donations was highest in age group of 51-60 years. Farmers showed the highest incidence (3.36%) of TTIs while businessmen (1.16%) ranked as the bottom

Influence of selenium supplementation during chelation of lead in rats.

The influence of selenium supplementation during chelation therapy to reduce body burden and toxicity of lead was investigated in rats. Selenium had marginal effects on liver, kidney and blood lead decorporation by calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid (CaNa2EDTA) and activation of inhibited delta- aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity by calcium trisodium diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid (CaNa3DTPA). Selenium supplementation however, had no influence on lead induced inhibition of renal and hepatic transaminases and alkaline phosphatase. The results suggest that selenium supplementation slightly augments lead mobilization by chelating drugs.

Effect of trisodium pentetat on the distribution of cadmium in some body organs & on hepatic metallothionein in rats.

The pre- and post-treatment with calcium trisodium diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid (CaNa3DTPA) was investigated for their efficacy to mobilize cadmium (Cd) from various tissues and hepatic metallothionein (MT) in Cd-exposed rats. Pretreatment with CaNa3 DTPA significantly reduced the hepatic and renal Cd absorption while, post Cd treatment with CaNa3 DTPA was effective in reducing renal and brain Cd. Pretreatment with CaNa3DTPA significantly increased the Cd induced hepatic metallothionein (MT) level, MT-bound Cd, Zn and Cu contents while, post treatment with CaNa3DTPA reduced the hepatic MT, MT-bound Cd compared to Cd alone treated rats.

Occupational lead poisoning among silver jewellery workers.

Seven male silver jewellery workers aged between 25 to 70 years complained of acute abdominal colic, sweet metallic taste, constipation and anorexia. Clinical, hematological examinations and urinalysis confirmed lead poisoning. Oral therapy with D-Penicillamine for seven days led to significant improvement in patients.

Influence oe calcium disodium edetate on the toxic effects of lead administration in pregnant rats.

Adverse effects of lead on mothers and foetal development along with lead distribution and their alteration by calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (CaNa2EDTA) were investigated in pregnant rats. The number of fetal resorption and abnormal fetuses increased and the number of live fetuses per dam and fetal weight decreased along with increase in liver, kidney, blood, brain and fetus lead levels by lead administration. The treatment with CaNa2EDTA significantly reduced these effects of lead. However, the chelating agent enhanced the placental level of lead. Neither lead nor CaNa2EDTA altered the zinc levels of maternal organs, placenta or fetus. The results suggest that many adverse effects of lead in pregnant rats can be favourably reduced by CaNa2EDTA.