ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 3, No. 10, October 2012 | pp. 73–80
DOI: 10.46882/2012/IJH/000034
Original Article
Title: Transfusion transmissible infections among multi-transfused sickle cell anemia patients
Names of Authors: S. T. Adeyemi¹, U. V. Okoye², W. X. Salami³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; ²Department of Medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria; ³Department of Paediatrics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Abstract: Chronic transfusion therapy exposes patients with sickle cell anemia to the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of endemic pathogens. This cross-sectional study evaluated the seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Syphilis among 130 multi-transfused patients with sickle cell anemia who had received over 10 packed red blood cell units. Screening was performed using third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The overall seroprevalence of any transfusion-transmissible infection was 16.9% (22 of 130). Specifically, Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity was 8.5%, Hepatitis C Virus antibodies were detected in 5.4%, Human Immunodeficiency Virus was present in 2.3%, and Syphilis serology was positive in 0.8% of cases. The infection rate correlated significantly with the total number of transfusions received (P < 0.05) and transfusions administered prior to the implementation of automated screening methods. These findings highlight a substantial burden of viral hepatitis among chronically transfused patients, emphasizing the need for more sensitive nucleic acid testing in blood donor centers and universal hepatitis B vaccination for sickle cell cohorts.
Keywords: Sickle cell anemia, transfusion-transmissible infections, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, blood safety
Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 12, 2012; Revised: August 22, 2012; Accepted: September 05, 2012; Published: October 11, 2012