THE STUDY OF SERO-PREVALENCE AND TRENDS OF HIV VIRAL MARKERS AMONG BLOOD DONORS IN NORTHERN INDIA

ABSTRACT

Transfusion of blood and blood components could be responsible for saving millions of life each year throughout the world. However, on the other hand , an improperly screened donated blood can be a source of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs). Some important prevalent infections are caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Treponema pallidum and malaria parasite. To study the sero-prevalence and trends of HIV viral markers amidst blood donors in Northern India.The study was carried out in the blood bank section of Department of Pathology, Era's Lucknow Medical College, Era University, Lucknow. The present study was conducted as a retrospective & prospective observational study. Retrospective data of past eight years before commencement of study (2008 to 2015) and prospective data of one and a half years (2016 and 2017) was used in the study. Data of 22192 blood donors was explored for the present study. Only 10 donors were found to be positive for HIV viral markers. Prevalence of HIV positivity was relatively much lower than that reported in contemporary studies. Nevertheless, the present study underscored the need to carry out screening of viral markers and their periodic audit in order to understand the changing trends of sero-positivity among blood donors.