Changing scenario of transfusion-related viral infections.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the changing incidence of blood transfusion-related viral infections consequent to compulsory screening of blood and greater awareness of the problem, over the last five years. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study carried out at Medical College, Calcutta. Three groups each consisting of 100 subjects were selected for this study. Group A comprised multiple transfused patients who have also received transfusion before 1995. Group B comprised patients who had received transfusions only since 1995. Group C comprised of control patients who have never been transfused. The incidence of HBsAg +ve, anti-HCV +ve and HIV +ve cases were calculated and expressed as percentages and compared using the chi square test. RESULTS: The incidences of HBsAg +ve and anti-HCV +ve cases in the three groups were 20% and 16% in Group A, 7% and 6% in Group B and 4% and 2% in Group C. The difference between Group A and Group B were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The incidence of HBsAg and anti-HCV positive cases among the multi-transfused has decreased over the last five years.