Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
2
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Warith Al Anbiyaa, Karbala, Iraq
3
Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Alnahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
4
Collage of Medicine, National University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
5
Ministry of Health/Iraq, National Blood Transfusion Center, Director of Blood Borne Department, Iraq
6
Ministry of Health/Iraq, National Blood Transfusion Center, Director of Blood Borne Department, Iraq”
Abstract
Background: Blood-borne viral infections are becoming more common all over the world. This study's goal was to assess the prevalence of HBV and HCV among blood donors at the “National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC)” in Baghdad, Iraq. “Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)” are two of the most frequently transmitted infectious agents through blood transfusion. Methods: We conducted this study between January 2020 and December 2020. The total number of blood donors was 171692, and they had their venous blood samples taken at the NBTC. Donors undergo screening for anti-HB core antibodies and HBsAg using an ELISA kit (Fortress Company/UK), while hepatitis C infection was screened by detecting anti-HCV antibodies using an ELISA kit (Fortress Company/UK). Any seropositive sample was confirmed by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Results: The total number of blood donors in Baghdad in 2020 was 171692, with 170504 males and 1188 females. These results showed a male-to-female ratio equal to 143:1. The prevalence of HBs, HB core, and HCV infection among blood donors for the 2020 year was 0.216%, 2.892%, and 0.135%, respectively. The total number of HBsAg-positive blood donors is 366/171692 (0.2%). Of the total male donors, 364/171692 (0.02%) were HBsAg positive, and of the total female donors, 2/1188 (0.019%) were HBsAg positive. Out of all HBsAg cases, 364/366 (99.5%) were positive male cases, and 2/366 (0.5%) were positive female cases. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HBV is higher than that of HCV among blood donors, and both viruses represent a potential risk of transmission from blood donors to recipients in Baghdad City. Blood donors with negative HBsAg or positive anti-HBc Abs need additional Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening to detect occult HBV infection and can stop the spread of HBV to other people.
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