Epidemiological Surveillance of Blood Donors in Kinshasa, 2014 - 2018.

BACKGROUND: The systematic detection of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses in any blood donor has been in effect at the University hospital of Kinshasa since 2005. However, no data on the monitoring of blood donors is available today. The purpose of this thesis was to draw up the sero-epidemiological assessment of the afore-mentioned virus during the period 2014 - 2018. METHODS: This is an observational study conducted in the University Hospital of Kinshasa donor population. RESULTS: A total of 9,128 blood donors were admitted to the Kinshasa University Clinics Blood Bank during the period from 01/01/2014 to 12/31/2018 for 11,054 blood donations. The highest attendance (50%) of blood donors was observed in 2014 and 2015. On the other hand, 2018 (11.9%; n = 1,085) was that of the lowest frequency of blood donors. The mean age of the blood donors was 34.72 ± 10.66 years. The minimum and maximum age corresponded to 16 years and 65 years, respectively. The median age was 34 years (interquartile range (IQR): 27 - 40 years). The majority of the study population (75%; n = 6,841) were at most 40 years old. There were significantly more male blood donors (77.3%; n = 7,060) than female blood donors (22.7%; n = 2,066). The difference between the two gender proportions was statistically significant (p < 0.0001) at risk α = 5%. The male/female gender ratio was 3:4. The seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and Treponema pallidum was estimated at 2.6% (n = 237), 4.7% (n = 429), 3.3% (n = 297) and 0.4% (n = 33), respectively. A total of 927 (10.16%) donors were infected with at least one agent transmissible by blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The present surveillance proves that infectious transfusion safety in Kinshasa is still very low.

[Association between the viruses of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and the hepatitis C virus among young blood donors in Kinshasa: Retrospective analysis of 10 years]. / Association entre les virus du syndrome d'immunodéficience acquise et le virus de l'hépatite C chez les jeunes donneurs de sang à Kinshasa : analyse rétrospective de 10 années.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The screening of anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibodies is mandatory in every blood donor admitted to the Blood Bank of Kinshasa University Clinics since 1984. However, no compiled data are available to date. The objective of this study was to establish the trend, prevalence, viral co-infections, and determinants of Human Immunodeficiency anti-Virus serology in blood donors admitted between 2003-2006 and 2008-2013. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out at University Kinshasa Clinics, using blood donors' records during 2003-2006 and 2008-2013. The prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus per year, age, sex and type of blood donors were estimated. Independent predictors of human immunodeficiency virus seropositivity were also identified. RESULTS: Out of 26,341 blood donors, 2.2% (n=576/26,341) were seropositive for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Age<25 years (OR=1.7; 95% CI: 1.4-2; P<0.0001) and Hepatitis C virus seropositivity (OR=3; 95% CI; 1.8-4.9; P<0.001) emerged as independent predictors of Human Immunodeficiency Virus seropositivity. CONCLUSION: This study shows a strong association between the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and hepatitis C and younger age respectively. Further studies are needed to ensure safety of Blood donation in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Interaction of hexadecylbetainate chloride with biological relevant lipids.

The present work investigates the interaction of hexadecylbetainate chloride (C(16)BC), a glycine betaine-based ester with palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC), sphingomyelin (SM), and cholesterol (CHOL), three biological relevant lipids present in the outer leaflet of the mammalian plasma membrane. The binding affinity and the mixing behavior between the lipids and C(16)BC are discussed based on experimental (isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and Langmuir film balance) and molecular modeling studies. The results show that the interaction between C(16)BC and each lipid is thermodynamically favorable and does not affect the integrity of the lipid vesicles. The primary adsorption of C(16)BC into the lipid film is mainly governed by a hydrophobic effect. Once C(16)BC is inserted in the lipid film, the polar component of the interaction energy between C(16)BC and the lipid becomes predominant. Presence of CHOL increases the affinity of C(16)BC for membrane. This result can be explained by the optimal matching between C(16)BC and CHOL within the film rather by a change of membrane fluidity due to the presence of CHOL. The interaction between C(16)BC and SM is also favorable and gives rise to highly stable monolayers probably due to hydrogen bonds between their hydrophilic groups. The interaction of C(16)BC with POPC is less favorable but does not destabilize the mixed monolayer from a thermodynamic point of view. Interestingly, for all the monolayers investigated, the exclusion surface pressures are above the presumed lateral pressure of the plasma membranes suggesting that C(16)BC would be able to penetrate into mammalian plasma membranes in vivo. These results may serve as a useful basis in understanding the interaction of C(16)BC with real membranes.