Hepatitis C infection markers among blood donors in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The role of blood transfusion in the spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is of concern in the DRC. Screened since the end of 2004 in blood donors, few data are however available on HCV in Kisangani. A study is needed to determine the seroprevalence of HCV in blood donors. Patients and method: 1247 blood samples collected from all volunteer blood donors who donated blood from August 1, 2005 to April 30, 2006 at the Provincial Blood Transfusion Centre were tested for anti-HCV antibodies. At the same time as HCV serology, markers for HIV and HBV were tested. Results: A total of 51(4.1%) volunteer blood donors (Table I) were HCV antibody positive. Fifty-two (4.2%) of the subjects were HIV positive and 60 (4.8%) were HBV positive. The mean age of HCV-positive donors was 31.4 years (±13.1) (Table II). HCV-positive seropositivity is lower among donors aged 17 to 24 years compared with those aged 25 years and older (p < 0.05). Positive HCV seropositivity is not related to gender. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus is relatively high like that of HIV among volunteer blood donors in Kisangani. It justifies that every blood donor be tested for HCV in order to prevent its transmission in Kisangani