Seroprevalence of malaria in blood donors and multi-transfused patients in Northern India: Relevance to prevention of transfusion-transmissible malaria

Abstract

Background: Transfusion-transmissible malaria (TTM) is a major concern in malaria endemic countries. A study was therefore conducted to know sero-prevalence of malaria in blood donors and the risk of TTM to multi-transfused patients at our hospital. Materials and Methods: Study subjects were: eligible blood donors (n = 1000), donors deferred due to history of fever in the last 3 months (n = 100), and multi-transfused patients (n = 200). Screening for malaria was done by slide microscopy, immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test (RDT) for malaria antigen, and anti-malaria antibody by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Malaria antibody prevalence in eligible donors and donors with history of fever, thalassemia patients, and in other multi-transfused patients was 16.9%, 22%, 6%, and 15%, respectively. None of the donors were positive for malaria on microscopic examination. None of the blood donors except one donor with history of fever, tested positive with RDT. Conclusion: Malaria antibody prevalence in blood donors at our center is high. As blood units donated by such donors have high-risk potential, special processing may be undertaken to reduce the risk of TTM.

Keywords

• Anti-malaria antibody
• blood donor
• multi-transfused patients
• serology
• transfusion-transmitted malaria