[HEV and transfusion-recipient risk]. / Virus de l'hépatite E et risque de transmission par transfusion.

HEV infections are mainly food- and water-borne but transfusion-transmission has occurred in both developing and developed countries. The infection is usually asymptomatic but it can lead to fulminant hepatitis in patients with underlying liver disease and pregnant women living in developing countries. It also causes chronic hepatitis E, with progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis, in approximately 60 % of immunocompromised patients infected with HEV genotype 3. Extra-hepatic manifestations such as neurological and renal manifestations have been reported. The risk of a transfusion-transmitted HEV infection is linked to the frequency of viremia in blood donors, the donor virus load and the volume of plasma in the final transfused blood component. Several developed countries have adopted measures to improve blood safety based on the epidemiology of HEV.

Positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 rapid serological test results among asymptomatic blood donors.

OBJECTIVES: The world is fighting with a COVID-19 pandemic, some of the uncertainties have been revealed. To figure out an estimation of asymptomatic patients and seropositive SARS-COV-2 blood donors in Iran, a national survey was conducted to find the prevalence of asymptomatic blood donors with positive SARS-COV-2 IgM/IgG test results at the end of May 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From all 31 provinces, 1339 blood donors were included. At first, data was collected with an interview containing demographic data, risk factors and possible signs and symptoms held for each donor by a trained medical expert. Then, SARS-COV-2 serologic rapid tests were conducted. Subsequently, the test results were observed and recorded; all of their photos were checked by one single expert. We corrected the prevalence rates for sensitivity and weighted them by the last year rate of blood donation of each province. RESULTS: The corrected prevalence rates of positive serological test results for sensitivity in provinces were between zero and 38.24%. The national prevalence was calculated 14.45% after weighting. Out of 161 positive donors, only 43 cases reported related signs or symptoms during the defined period of time, while 118 (73.29%) seropositive cases had not reported any related signs or symptoms. Some signs or symptoms were reported more frequent in the SARS-COV-2 serologic rapid test positives. The highest OR (10.19) was linked to ageusia. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown the prevalence of seropositive results to be around 14% in target population in which around ¾ had not reported any signs or symptoms.

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in blood donor population in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Impact of the pre-donation questionnaire implementation and mandatory hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination schedule - 20 years' experience of the University Clinical Hospital Mostar.

OBJECTIVES: Currently, there are limited data on the prevalence of HBsAg in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This study aimed to evaluate the trend of HBsAg prevalence during a period of 20 years in relation to the implementation of pre-donation questionnaires based on parenteral and sexual risk factors and mandatory HBV vaccination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis performed on 67,336 blood donors at the University Clinical Hospital Mostar during three distinct periods: before introducing of mandatory HBV vaccination and pre-donation blood donor questionnaires (1998-2002); after introducing of pre-donation blood donor questionnaires, but without mandatory immunized blood donors (2004-2008); and after introducing of mandatory pre-donation blood donor questionnaires and mandatory vaccination (2015-2019). RESULTS: According to implementation of mandatory pre-donation blood donor questionnaires and mandatory HBV vaccination the prevalence of HBsAg significantly decreased among blood donors in all three studied periods of time (0.303% in 1998-2002, 0.236% in 2004-2008, and 0.021% in 2015-2019; P<0.001). Out of 67,336 tested donors, there were 98 (0.145%) HBsAg-positive donors during analysed periods, with a mean age of 34.76±11.37 years. The mean age of HBsAg-positive donors was 30.72±10.40, 37.56±10.13, and 47.28±12.14) in the 1998-2002, 2004-2008, and 2015-2019 periods, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study clearly shows a decreased rate of HBV infections among blood donors with respect to implementation of the HBV vaccination schedule and mandatory pre-donation blood donor questionnaires based on parenteral and sexual risk factors.

[Anemia in blood donors and criteria of hemoglobin level control at the national blood transfusion center (NBTC) of Lomé, Togo]. / Anemie chez les donneurs de sang et criteres de controle du taux d'hemoglobine au centre national de transfusion sanguine de Lome (Togo).

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anemia among blood donors at Lomé national blood transfusion center (NBTC) and to identify criteria for controlling hemoglobin level in blood donation candidates. METHODS: We determined the hemoglobin level using HemoCue® 201+. To identify the hemoglobin level control criteria, the judgment parameters were the proportion of anemic donors based on the number of blood donations in the last 12 months and the staining of the conjunctiva. One parameter is considered "critical" and used as a control criterion when more than 30% of donors meeting this parameter are anemic. RESULTS: A total of 1 291 blood donor candidates, predominantly male (89.70%), were included in this study. The prevalence of anemia was 28.12%. This prevalence was 38.71% among women who made 2 donations and 32.27% among men who made 3 donations and who came for a new donation in the year. Anemia was observed in 59.45% of men and 51.56% of women who had slightly colored conjunctiva. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anemia was high among blood donors at NBTC Lomé. Hemoglobin control is indicated in blood donation candidates with conjunctiva judged to be slightly colored and / or on their 2nd donation (female) and 3rd blood donation (male) within 12 months.

INTRODUCTION: Cette étude avait pour buts d'évaluer la prévalence de l'anémie parmi les donneurs de sang au centre national de transfusion sanguine (CNTS) de Lomé et d'identifier les critères de contrôle du taux d'hémoglobine chez les candidats au don de sang. MÉTHODES: Nous avons déterminé le taux d'hémoglobine (THb) à l'aide de HemoCue® 201+. Pour identifier les critères de contrôle du THb, les paramètres de jugement étaient la proportion de donneurs anémiés en fonction du nombre de dons de sang dans les douze derniers mois et la coloration des conjonctives. Un paramètre est jugé « critique ¼ et retenu comme critère de contrôle du THb lorsque plus de 30 % des donneurs répondant à ce paramètre sont anémiés. RÉSULTATS: Au total 1291 candidats au don de sang, à prédominance masculine (89,70%), étaient inclus dans cette étude. La prévalence de l'anémie était de 28,12%. Cette prévalence était de 38,71% parmi les femmes qui avaient fait 2 dons et de 32,27% parmi les hommes ayant effectué 3 dons et qui étaient revenus pour un nouveau don de sang en l'espace de 12 mois. L'anémie était observée chez 59,45% des hommes et 51,56% des femmes qui avaient des conjonctives peu colorées. CONCLUSION: La prévalence de l'anémie est élevée parmi les donneurs de sang au CNTS de Lomé. Le contrôle du taux d'hémoglobine est indiqué chez les candidats au don de sang ayant des conjonctives jugées peu colorées et/ou qui sont à leur 2ème don (femme) ou 3ème don de sang (homme) en l'espace de douze mois.

Iron-deficiency among blood donors: Donors' opinion on iron supplementation strategy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Each donation of a single whole blood unit causes a 200-250mg iron loss. The main clinical manifestation of iron deficiency among blood donors is anemia, and every blood collection establishment must have measures in place to minimize and prevent iron depletion in blood donors, according to the European guidelines. However, iron deficiency without anemia is also associated with clinical manifestations. The management of iron deficiency is an acute issue; still, no consensus on its managements exists. One possibility is iron supplementation; however, the acceptability of such a measure is still unknown, so we asked donors' opinions on this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 2-month period, a questionnaire was voluntarily completed by blood donors at the French Military Blood Institute. Gender, age, number of donations in the last 12 months, and preference between iron supplementation and general practitioner consultation for management of iron deficiency were recorded. RESULTS: One thousand nine hundred and seventy-four questionnaires were returned. Donors between ages 18-50 represented 89% of respondents. Altogether, 49% declared that they would rather visit their general practitioner and 46% would rather receive iron supplementation. There were no significant differences correlated with gender or age. However, a higher number of prior donations was significantly associated with a preference for iron supplementation. Frequent female donors had an even stronger preference for iron supplementation. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that there are no strong objections to iron supplementation, which could be an acceptable option for frequent donors - the main population at risk for iron deficiency.

Chlorhexidine alcohol versus povidone-iodine: The comparative study of skin disinfectants at the blood transfusion centers of Iran.

OBJECTIVES: The skin disinfection in the blood donor's arm is a key step to minimize the risk of microbial contamination at blood donation sessions. Current study aimed to compare the efficacy of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol (CHG/IPA) with povidone-Iodine (PI) at blood transfusion centers (BTCs) of Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood donors were selected to evaluate three commercial CHG/IPA disinfectants (N=300), prior the application at BTCs, and to compare the rate of positive skin cultures between CHG/IPA and PI in 31 BTCs (N=8578). The rate of positivity for PI over a 5-year period was also investigated. After application of a two-step disinfection procedure, the biochemical characteristics were checked in accordance with the conventional bacteriological methods. The Z-test analysis was used to compare the deviation between the positive microbial culture ratios. RESULT: No donors had a positive culture after disinfection during the evaluation study. There was no difference in the rate of positivity between PI and CHG/IPA after disinfection (P>0.05). The rate of positivity for PI from 2012 to 2017 showed a decreasing trend. The rate of positivity was significantly higher in winter rather than summer (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The disinfection efficacy of CHG/IPA was equivalent to that of PI. The 5-year monitoring of PI at BTCs showed that the improvement in the rate of positive skin cultures possibly due to effectiveness of correcting actions.

Impact on blood safety of the last arboviruses outbreaks in French Polynesia (2012-2018).

BACKGROUND: Several successive arbovirus outbreaks have affected French Polynesia (FP) in the recent past years due to different dengue serotypes (DENV) present for several decades, Zika (ZIKV) (2013-2014) and chikungunya (CHIKV) (2014-2015) viruses with a potential impact on blood safety and blood supply due to the geographical isolation of these islands. This study reports an assessment of the impact of these outbreaks on blood products supply and infectious safety in FP and discuss the effectiveness of implemented preventive measures. METHODS: To ensure the infectious safety of blood products during outbreaks, several measures have successively been introduced as the selection of donors suspected of infection, the nucleic acid testing (NAT) and the pathogen reduction of platelets and plasmas. RESULTS: The donor deferral rate increased by 6% between 2012 and 2014 without changes in the number of collected donations. NAT excluded five blood donations reactive for DENV RNA, 42 for ZIKV and 34 for CHIKV. As Zika screening could not been implemented before the third month of the outbreak, 36 blood products from ZIKV-infected donors were transfused to 26 recipients. However, no transfusion-transmitted arbovirus has been reported. CONCLUSION: The last past arboviruses outbreaks did not have a significant impact on blood supply in FP. The measures introduced to prevent arbovirus transmission by transfusion were able to maintain infectious safety for all blood products without impairing self-sufficiency.

Incidence and risk predictors analysis of adverse donor reactions in whole blood donation.

OBJECTIVE: Adverse donor reactions in normal healthy blood donors is not unusual. However, these unpleasant effects have a negative impact on donor retention. Adverse event due to blood donation is multifactorial in origin. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the frequency and type of adverse donor reactions during or after blood donation. More importantly, this study also aimed at analyzing important risk predictors of adverse donor reaction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted from May 2017 to April 2019 in the department of Transfusion Medicine at a tertiary care center in eastern India. Data were stored in Microsoft excel 2016 by using a standardized format as per ISBT criteria and analyzed with software "R, version 3.5.3" to find out the various independent precipitating factor. RESULTS: Overall, 107 donors (0.98%) experienced adverse events with 10,814 whole blood donations. The first time, females, younger age donors (18-30 years), and donors with a mean arterial blood pressure of less than 90mm of Hg were the most important independent risk factors predicting the possibility of adverse donor reaction. Donors' weight, hemoglobin, and the type of donation had not affected the frequency of adverse events. CONCLUSION: Analysis of adverse donor reactions helps in selecting the blood donors who are at risk of donor reactions. Our study highlights the importance of proper predonation screening especially in terms of assessment of mean blood pressure, along with identification of first time and female blood donors in order to reduce untoward donor reaction.

Anti-HBc prevalence among Croatian blood donors in a 14-year period (2004-2017): Assessment of trends, risks and need for implementing routine testing.

OBJECTIVES: The anti-HBc prevalence over a 14-years period (2004-2017), trends, infectivity, residual risk, and need for testing in blood donors (BD) of the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine were assessed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Anti-HBc was tested in 19,969 BD serum samples collected in 2004 (N=7561), 2013 (N=7318) and 2017 (N=5090). All serums were initially screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV, HIV Ag/Ab, and anti-TP. 2013 and 2017 samples were also tested by ID-NAT. RESULTS: Over a 14-years period, the anti-HBc prevalence significantly decreased among Croatian BD (5.24% in 2004, 2.56% in 2013, and 1.32% in 2017). Similarly, the prevalence of anti-HBc-only profiles decreased from 0.62% in 2004, 0.25% in 2013, and 0.21% in 2017. The 4-time decreasing trend was observed in all age groups of BD from 2017 but mostly among repeat donors (5.90% to 1.38%). First-time donors showed no significant difference in anti-HBc prevalence probably due to their younger age (<29 years) and HBV vaccine status. However, similar anti-HBs carriage rates (80.56%, 87.57%, and 82.09%) were reported in anti-HBc positive donors over the study period. HBsAg and HBV DNA were not detected. No OBI infection was found in the study despite an OBI frequency of 1:10,900 donations previously reported in Croatia. A HBV decreasing residual risks of 68, 88, and 12 per million donations were estimated for years 2004, 2013, and 2017, respectively. CONCLUSION: Anti-HBc testing is an additional measure of preventing HBV infection by transfusion. Implementation of anti-HBc testing will result in the deferral of 1.3% BD and should be supported by cost-benefit analyses.

Estimation of the hepatitis E assay-dependent seroprevalence among Croatian blood donors.

BACKGROUND: Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in blood donors presenting to the Croatian Institute of Transfusion Medicine was assessed with 4 available tests (3 ELISA tests and 1 immunoblot (IB) test). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In October and November 2014, a total of 1,036 serum samples of blood donors were collected for the study. Samples were primarily tested for total HEV antibodies by Dia.Pro HEV Ab test (a). All reactive samples were tested by ELISA tests: Dia.Pro HEV IgG (b) and IgM (c), Mikrogen recomWell HEV IgG_old (d) and IgM_old (e), recomWell HEV IgG_new (f) and IgM_new (g), and IB Mikrogen recomLine HEV IgG (h) and IgM (i). HEV IgM reactive samples also positive by the IB were further tested for HEV RNA. RESULTS: There were 21.5% of samples reactive for total HEV antibodies (a). Seroprevalence of HEV IgG according to the b, d, f and h tests was 20.2%, 9.6%, 18.1% and 17.8%, respectively. Seroprevalence of HEV IgM according to the c, e, g and i tests was 4.4%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 1.7%, respectively. Out of 46 HEV IgM (Dia.Pro HEV IgM) positive samples, 18 (39.1%) were also positive by IB. HEV RNA was not detected in any of those samples. There was a significant association between age and HEV seroprevalence (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Different HEV antibody detection assays showed a high HEV IgG seroprevalence in Croatian blood donors. Among HEV IgG and HEV IgM positive samples HEV RNA was not detected.

Confidential unit exclusion (CUE): Double edged sword for blood transfusion center: A ten-year study on volunteer blood donors in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Confidential unit exclusion (CUE) is a mechanism developed in the1980s to increase blood safety by allowing donors to indicate confidentially if they think their blood is not safe for transfusion. While it has been used widely around the world, the efficacy of this strategy is still unclear. The present study evaluated the efficacy of the CUE system at the Blood Transfusion Center of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province (KBTC), Iran by comparing the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infectious (TTIs) in CUE and non-CUE groups. METHODS: This descriptive study used data from all volunteer blood donors over a ten-year period. Donors were classified in two groups: CUE and non-CUE. Screening tests were performed for hepatitis B surface antigens (HBs-Ag), hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab), and Human immunodeficiency virus antibody (HIV-Ab) and any repeatedly reactive results were confirmed by standard methods. Significant differences were determined by Chi2 test. The sensitivity, specificity and PPV of the CUE system were also calculated. RESULTS: In the present study, the non-CUE and CUE groups consisted of 98.94% and 1.06% of volunteer blood donors, respectively. First-time donors selected the CUE option more often than repeated and regular donors. The prevalence of TTIs was significantly higher in the CUE group and CUE sensitivity, specificity, and PPV were 5.5%, 98.95%, and 0.96%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We recommend the CUE system be pursued for further enhancement of blood safety. However, further studies are needed to establish the overall usefulness of this procedure throughout the whole country.

Human pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1) RNA prevalence and genotypes in volunteer blood donors from the Brazilian Amazon.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of Human Pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1) viremia and genotype diversity among healthy blood donors from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon (city of Macapá, State of Amapá). There is little information for prevalence and circulation of HPgV-1 in this remote Brazilian region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a study evaluating the HPgV-1 RNA prevalence and circulating genotypes in 431 volunteer blood donors originating from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon. The obtained HPgV-1 positive samples were submitted to sequencing and genotyping analysis in order to examine the genotype diversity of this virus in the Brazilian Amazon. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated a prevalence of HPgV-1 RNA in 9.5% of the tested blood donors. The phylogenetic analyses of the detected positive samples showed the presence of HPgV-1 genotypes 1, 2 and 3. The most frequently detected genotype was 2 (78.0% of the cases) represented by sub-genotypes 2A (39.0%) and 2B (39.0%). At lower rates, genotypes 1 (14.6%) and 3 (7.4%) were also detected. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed the presence of genotypes with European, Asiatic and African endemicity in Amazonian blood donors, probably due to the complex miscegenation processes that took place in this Brazilian region. More investigations, including information for the prevalence of HPgV-1 RNA in blood donors from other Latin American countries are needed to estimate the viremic rates and genotype distribution of this virus in a highly diverse continent like South America.

[Hemogram profile and interest of pre-donation hemoglobin measurement in blood donors in the northwest region of Morocco]. / Profil de l'hémogramme et intérêt de la mesure de l'hémoglobine pré-don chez des donneurs de sang de la région Nord-Ouest du Maroc.

BACKGROUND: Blood donation in Morocco and more particularly in the northwest region is carried out without prior determination of the pre-donation hemoglobin. In addition, we note the lack of scientific research that reports data on the red blood cells, leukocytes and platelet lines in donated blood at the regional or even national level. AIMS: To study hemogram profile in blood donors taken from the Northwest region of Morocco in order to provide decision makers of the National Center of Blood Transfusion and Hematology with valid scientific arguments to complete the criteria to donate whole blood, by the hemogram. METHODS: Prospective study, conducted in 15797 volunteer blood donors (BD) aged between 18 and 60 years, collected during mobile or fixed collections carried out by the Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Tangier and Tetouan from November 2014 to May 2016. The hemogram was performed using a Sysmex KX21N® and the analysis of the data was done by the software SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: According to the World Health Organization, anemia corresponds to a hemoglobin level less than 12g/dL in women and less than 13g/dL in men. We found that 14.5 % of women (n=1054) and 3.0 % of men (n=245) were anemic and anemia was hypochromic microcytic in 58,66 % of these BD. Analysis of the white line showed leucopenia in 2.05 % of BD and 807 cases of leukocytosis (5.27 % of BD). Platelet study showed thrombocytopenia in 3.97 % of BD and thrombocytosis in 151BD (0.99 % of cases). CONCLUSION: This study shows the interest of systematic pre-donation hemoglobin measurement and periodic realization of the hemogram among BD in the Northwest region of Morocco.

Understanding the underlying motives and intention among Indian blood donors towards voluntary blood donation: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to fill the gap in the literature by conducting a comprehensive research on Indian donor's intention towards voluntary blood donation in India. The study attempts to conceptualize and validate an integrative framework incorporating voluntary function inventory (VFI) in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model with the purpose tomeasure the voluntary blood donation intention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been used to rigorously test the hypothesized interrelationships among the underlying motives influencing voluntary blood donation intention. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of respondents selected conveniently from selct locations in India. Total 450 completed questionnaires were received out of 1000 distributed. RESULTS: The study develops a final conceptual framework that determines the drivers of blood donor's intention towards voluntary donation. The components of theory of planned behavior (TPB) model which include 'attitude', 'subjective norms' (SN), and 'perceived behavioral control' (PBC) along with modified volunteer functions namely 'value', 'social', 'career' and 'enhancement' were found significantly explaining the donation intention in the model. CONCLUSION: The model achieves robustness with respect to predicting Indian donor's intention towards the voluntary donation of blood. The proposed model in this study advances the theory and research on thevolunteering motives towards blood donation. The study would provide a comprehensiveunderstanding of donors' intention to the practitioners, policy makers and Non-Government Organization (NGO), helping them to frame a calibrated strategydirected towards facilitating healthy blood donation practices.

HEV and transfusion-recipient risk.

HEV infections are mainly food- and water-borne but transfusion-transmission has occurred in both developing and developed countries. The infection is usually asymptomatic but it can lead to fulminant hepatitis in patients with underlying liver disease and pregnant women living in developing countries. It also causes chronic hepatitis E, with progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis, in approximately 60% of immunocompromised patients infected with HEV genotype 3. The risk of a transfusion-transmitted HEV infection is linked to the frequency of viremia in blood donors, the donor virus load and the volume of plasma in the final transfused blood component. Several developed countries have adopted measures to improve blood safety based on the epidemiology of HEV.

P. falciparum malaria prevalence among blood donors in Bamako, Mali.

AIM: Malaria parasite is usually transmitted to humans by Anopheles mosquitoes but it can also be transmitted through blood transfusion. Usually malaria transmission is low in African urban settings. In West Africa where the P. falciparum is the most predominant malaria species, there are limited measures to reduce the risk of blood transfusion malaria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of P. falciparum malaria carriage among blood donors in the National Blood Center of Bamako, capital city of Mali. METHODS: The study was conducted using a random sample of 946 blood donors in Bamako, Mali, from January to December 2011. Screening for malaria was performed by thick smear and rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Blood group was typed by Beth-Vincent and Simonin techniques. RESULTS: The frequency of malaria infection was 1.4% by thick smear and 0.8% by the RDT. The pick prevalence of P. falciparum malaria was in rainy season, indicating a probable high seasonal risk of malaria by blood transfusion, in Mali. The prevalence of P. falciparum infection was 2% among donors of group O the majority being in this group. CONCLUSION: There is a seasonal prevalence of malaria among blood donors in Bamako. A prevention strategy of transfusion malaria based on the combination of selection of blood donors through the medical interview, promoting a voluntary low-risk blood donation and screening all blood bags intended to be transfused to children under 5, pregnant women and immune-compromised patients during transmission season using thick smear will reduce the risk of transfusion malaria in Mali.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of medical screening of blood donors on preventing blood transfusion-transmitted infectious agents]. / Évaluation de l'efficacité de la sélection médicale des donneurs de sang dans la prévention des agents infectieux.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of medical screening to retain blood donors in window period by comparing the seroprevalence of infectious agents (HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis) in deferred versus accepted blood donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective and transversal study was performed during 4 months in the National Blood Transfusion Center in Dakar (Senegal). We conducted a convenience sampling comparing the seroprevalence of infectious agents (HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis) in deferred versus accepted blood donors after medical selection. RESULTS: In total, 8219 blood donors were included. Medical selection had authorized 8048 donors (97.92%) and deferred donors were 171 (2.08%). The prevalence of HIV was higher in the deferred than in accepted blood donors (1.75% vs. 0.05%) (P=0.0003; OR=35.91), as well as for HBsAg (12.87% vs. 7.35%) (P=0.006; OR=1.86). HCV antibodies were present in 0.71% of accepted blood donors and 0.58% in deferred blood donors (P=0.65; OR=0.82). Only accepted donors had brought the infection of syphilis (0.34%) (P=0.56; OR=0). CONCLUSION: Medical selection is efficient to exclude blood donors at high risk of HIV transmission and to a lesser extent of HBV. However, current medical screening procedures do not allow us to exclude donors asymptomatic carriers of HCV and syphilis.

[Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses, HIV-1/2 and syphilis among blood donors in the Yaoundé Central Hospital in the centre region of Cameroon]. / Séroprévalence des virus des hépatites B et C, du VIH-1/2 et de la syphilis chez les donneurs de sang de l'hôpital central de Yaoundé, région du centre, Cameroun.

OBJECTIVES: Prevention of blood transfusion-transmitted infections includes blood donor screening and effective infectious markers screening for donated blood. This study had two main objectives: to determine seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis in blood donors of the Yaoundé Central Hospital and to study sociodemographic factors of blood donors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of consecutive blood donors' records from January to December 2013 was conducted. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency viruses and syphilis were determined in 9024 whole blood donations collected in the Yaoundé Central Hospital in the centre region, Cameroon using Elisa kits. RESULTS: Mean age of donors was 28 years. The male to female ratio was 14.8. Most of blood donors were replacement donors (97.2%) and first-time donors (76.8%). Up to 19.3% of the donors tested positive for at least one infectious agent, in which 0.1% presented a positive test for three viruses (HIV, HCV and HBV). The overall seroprevalence in blood donors was 12.6% for HBsAg, 3.2% for hepatitis C antibody, 3.3% for HIV-1/2 antibodies and 0.2% for syphilis. The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher in men (P=0.001), among first-time donors (P=0.003), in blood group A (P=0.01) and those with the rhesus positive blood (P=0.01). The prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher among first-time donors (P=0.05). The prevalence of anti-HIV was significantly higher in first-time donors (3.7% vs 2.2%, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: First-time blood donors and replacement donors are the two types of donors in Cameroon. Replacement donors are considered as having a major risk of transmission of infections to recipients. The seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis among these donors is high and reflects how much these agents are present in Cameroon. Effective infectious markers screening and organization of blood donors into an association of volunteer's donors are necessary to secure blood transfusion in Cameroon.

[Geomatics in the service of blood collection]. / La géomatique au service de la collecte de sang.

UNLABELLED: To achieve blood supply, EFS organizes mobile blood collection sessions (80% of whole blood supply), close to target blood donors. Mobile sessions planning is usually developed in partnership with organizations of voluntary blood donors, based on the experience of previous sessions. However, population moving to urban areas and lifestyles changing force to focus on objective demographic analysis to determine a prospective vision of potentialities to ensure blood supply. METHOD: For blood supply management, EFS recently implemented innovative methods of mapping, through Geographic Information System software (GIS) that allow a spatial representation of different indicators. Geomatics engineering gathers and processes spatially referenced information about blood collections and blood donors, combining data from EFS and data from IGN or INSEE. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The authors present some examples of geomatics applied to blood supply and a feedback on the implementation of these tools in a French region. These innovative tools enhance expertise and increase the mastery of analysis for blood supply strategies.

Blood donors--Serious adverse reactions (SAR) 2010-2014 EFS Châteauroux, France.

BACKGROUND: In 2013, the national French incidence of serious adverse reactions (SAR) was 155.7 per 100,000 donations and 82% of SAR were grade 2 (French classification of SAR related to blood donors) AIMS: The purpose of our study was to describe the profile of blood donator candidate which had a SAR in our center. METHODS: The study contains all the SAR superior to grade 1 occurred on the site EFS Châteauroux (site and mobile blood collection) from January 2010 to October 31, 2014. We analyzed 37 parameters from the e-fit files (e-site French blood vigilance) and In-log software. RESULTS: We identified 82 SAR for 72,553 blood donations (incidence: 113.02 SAR per 100,000 donations). Forty-one men and 41 women, middle age 39 years (18-66). Average height: 1.68 m (1.49-1.85); average weight: 68 kg (50-98); body mass index (kg/m(2)): 24,13(18.6-31.9). All donors were Caucasian and 30% unemployed. We found 74 vasovagal syncope (VVS), 5 hematomas, 2 arterial injuries and an adverse reaction to citrate. In 90%, the SAR was immediate and of grade 2 in 85% of cases. Thirty-seven percent of SAR were first donation in connection with whole blood in 87% of cases. Regarding the seniority of donors, the number of average donations (whole blood, plasma, platelets) was 16.5. An SAR determined the stop of blood donation in 65% of cases with nearly 80% stoppage if it was a first donation. Seventy-three percent of SAR as a VVS took place during blood collection or within 5 minutes following the end of the donation. Sixty-one percent were men. Forty-four percent of cases were a first donation and 83% occurred in mobile blood collection. Average age was 36 years. The result was a permanent stop of all type of donations in 76% of cases. Twenty-seven percent of SAR as a VVS took place beyond 5 minutes after the end of the donation. Seventy-five percent were women. Thirty percent of cases were a first donation and 95% of SAR occurred in mobile blood collection. Average age was 42 years. The result was a permanent stop of all type of donations in 40% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: When the SAR as a VVS occurs during or within 5 minutes following the end of the donation, it leads to a permanent stop of any type of donation in 76% of cases.