ISSN 2736-173X
African Journal of Malaria and Tropical Diseases ISSN 4123-0981 Vol. 5 (11), pp. 368-370, November, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Short Communication
A study of plasmodium species in blood donors and their demographic parameters to malaria susceptibility
T.T. Epidi1*, C.D. Nwani2 and N.P. Ugorji2
1Department of Crop Production Technology, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
2Department of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected].
Accepted 04 August, 2017
Abstract
In view of the problem of transfusional malaria, the prevalence of Plasmodium in transfused blood was assessed. Blood film examination for malaria parasites in donor blood transfused to patients in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State of Nigeria was carried out over a 5-month period. Blood group O was the dominant blood type (74%). A high malaria parasite prevalence rate of 51.5% was noted in transfused donor blood. All blood groups and Rhesus factor types were infected with malaria parasites and there was no significant increase in malaria infection rate in any particular blood group type. Method of blood procurement was observed as a major risk factor of transmission, with commercial blood donor having the highest proportion of parasitic contamination.
Keyword: Donor blood, plasmodium, prevalence, transfusional malaria.