Sero-Epidemiology of Transfusion Transmissible Hepatitis B, C and E among Blood Donors in Ekiti, Southwestern Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study
K. A. Fasakin *
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Nigeria and Department of Medical Laboratory Science, ELIZADE University, Ilaramokin, Nigeria.
M. A. Muhibi
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria.
A. A. Ibijola
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Nigeria and Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. D. Ajayi
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
M. I. Onyema
Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, Nigeria.
Y. Obazee
Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria.
A. A. Adeniyi
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
W. A. Ajetunmobi
Department of Paediatrics, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
I. O. Adebara
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. Adebayo
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. I. Okunlola
Department of Surgery, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
M. Yusuf
Department of Medicine, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
B. S. Awoyinka
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. A. Ajetunmobi
Department of Family Medicine, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. Bakare
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. T. Adeyemo
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. E. Adewara
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
N. Anyahara
Vedic Lifecare Hospital LFTZ Annex/Lagoon Hospitals, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.
C. E. Onyema
Department of Paediatrics, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. B. Bolaji
Department of Paediatrics, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. M. Ayankunle
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal, Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti/Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
O. P. Aduloju
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ekiti State University/ Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
E. O. Ogundare
Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University /Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. O. Babatola
Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University /Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
A. S. Adefisan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ekiti State University/ Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
B. A. Olofinbiyi
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ekiti State University/ Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria.
Z. A. Jeremiah
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Transfusion transmissible hepatitis (TTH) is a global health problem and the incriminating agents such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) continue to pose serious threats to blood safety. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and HEV and relate the outcomes with blood donation type, age and gender and confirm any significant associations.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HCV were determined with Diaspot and Lab Acon immunochromatographic ELISA-based test devices. Antibodies to HEV were first determined with Biopanda lateral flow device followed by ELISA assay for sero-reactive HEV immunoglobulins M and immunoglobulin G (IgM and IgG) antibodies.
Results: A total of 370 prospective blood donors between 18 and 55 years old (mean 31.2 ± 7.6 years) who presented for blood donation at FETHI Blood Bank were screened. Overall male: female ratio was 7:1. Cummulative hepatitis seroprevalence of 8.1% was found mainly among the replacement blood donors (RBD) and consist of 4.3%, 1.6%, 1.1%, 0.8% and 0.3% serologic evidence of HBsAg, anti-HCV, HEV IgM, both HEV IgM & HEV IgG, and HEV IgG antibodies. Blood donors aged 18 – 45 years were most affected with evident significant association between the age group of donors and TTH seroprevalence. Cummulative hepatitis seroprevalence was 0% among voluntary blood donors, and 9.1% and 0.3% among the male and female RBD respectively. There was significant association between the pathogens and RBD, though the association with male gender was clinically but not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The high transfusion transmissible hepatitis seroprevalence among RBD called for promoting voluntary donations. Comparable prevalence of HEV antibodies with that of HCV called for its inclusion in the TTIs screening algorithm to ascertain optimal blood safety in Nigeria.
Keywords: Hepatitis, blood donors, transfusion, Sero-epidemiology, southwestern, Ekiti