Detection of Hepatitis C virus antibodies among healthy blood donors at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

OSUJI, AHANEKU IHERUE; Duru, Georgina Chinenye; Kinjir, Hauwa

doi:10.21608/mid.2020.30931.1015

Detection of Hepatitis C virus antibodies among healthy blood donors at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA TEACHING HOSPITAL GWAGWALADA, ABUJA, PMB 228 ABUJA

² Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria

³ Department of Hematology, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Vom. Plateau State, Nigeria

10.21608/mid.2020.30931.1015

Abstract

Background: Most blood transfusion centres in Nigeria including the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Abuja use rapid test kit for screening blood donors. Though it is simple, robust with speedy results, it has some limits. This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of HCV antibodies by the currently used rapid detection assay among blood donors tested positive by ELISA, describe the HCV risk factors and socio-demographic characters among the blood donor participants. Methods: Blood samples collected from 365 blood donors attending UATH blood bank were screened for HCV antibodies using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit (CTK Biotech, USA). Positive samples were retested using Aria rapid test kit. Structured questionnaires were used to collate subjects’ socio-demographic data and risk factors of infection. Results: Out of 365 blood donors tested, 55 (15.1%) were positive for HCV antibodies. Of the 55 ELISA positive samples, 9 (16.4%) samples were negative by Aria rapid test kit. Sociodemographic data showed that female had a higher prevalence (16.3%) than the male (14.9%) p= 0.81. The age group with the highest rate of infection was 31-45 years p. Conclusion: The study revealed the superiority of ELISA over Aria rapid test kit in the detection of HCV antibodies. The missed positive cases by the currently used rapid test could pose a risk to blood transfusion safety and necessitates for preventive measures to be intensified, as blood donors with high risk factors be deferred from blood donation to reduce HCV transfusion risk in Nigeria.

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