Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in north Indian blood donors using third and fourth generation Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay

Abstract

Background : The percentage of HIV cases attributable to blood transfusion has decreased significantly in the last decade. The newer 4 th generation Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been shown to have increased sensitivity compared to 3 rd generation ELISA. Objectives : To estimate the seroprevalence of HIV among blood donors using 4 th generation ELISA assay and to compare it with the 3 rd generation ELISA. Materials and Methods : This prospective study involved 10,200 blood donors- 6,800 were voluntary donors (3400-students and 3400-non students) and 3400 were replacement donors. All blood units were tested with 3 rd as well as 4 th generation ELISA. All samples found reactive or in grey zone with either 3 rd or 4 th generation ELISA were retested by Western blot (WB). Results : The seroprevalence of HIV was estimated to be 1.37/1000 donations (0.14%) with 3 rd generation ELISA compared to 3.62/1000 donations (0.36%) with 4 th generation ELISA (p>0.05). The seroprevalence of HIV among voluntary donors was estimated to be 1.32/1000 donations (0.13%) with 3 rd generation ELISA and 3.67/1000 donations (0.36%) with 4 th generation ELISA. The prevalence of HIV among replacement donors was 1.47/1000 donations (0.15%) with 3 rd generation ELISA and 3.52/1000 donations (0.35%) with 4 th generation ELISA. Conclusion : 4 th generation HIV ELISA detects a higher number of seroreactive donors compared to 3 rd generation ELISA. However, larger studies are required with confirmatory tests for both 3 rd and 4 th generation ELISA for making any policy changes.

Keywords

• Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
• Human immunodeficiency virus
• window period
• transfusion associated HIV/AIDS
• blood donors