Detection of Viral Transfusion-transmissible Infections among Blood Donors Using Lateral Flow Assay and ELISA at Federal Medical Center Keffi, Nasarawa, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) pose a significant risk to blood transfusion safety, making early detection through reliable diagnostic methods crucial for reducing transmission rates. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of viral TTIs among blood donors at Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria, using the lateral flow assay technique (Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT)) and enzymatic detection (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)). Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to September 2024, involving 240 blood donors, where all samples were initially screened using RDT. The RDT-negative samples were further analysed using ELISA. First-time donors who were 18-65 years, weighing at least 50kg with a haemoglobin level of 12.5 g/dl for females and 13.0 g/dl for males, without any history of chronic or recent infection, while those who did not meet the criteria were excluded. A questionnaire was used to inquire about social demographics and risk factors. Results: The RDT Seroprevalence rates were 3.8% for HBV, 3.3% for HCV, and 1.6% for HIV, while ELISA detected additional cases, leading to final seroprevalence rates of 4.6% for HIV, 9.6% for HBV, and 5.0% for HCV with an overall TTI prevalence of 19.2%. Females had a seroprevalence of 12.5% for HBV compared to males, 9.4%. For HCV, the seroprevalence was 5.1% in males, while no cases were detected in females, while for HIV, the seroprevalence was higher in females, 12.5%, compared to males, 4.3%. However, the gender difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). Single donors had a higher prevalence of HIV 6.5% and HCV 7.5% compared to married donors, 3.0%, respectively. HBV seroprevalence was 9.7% for married donors and 9.3% for single donors (P > .05). There were no cases of co-infection among the blood donors in this study. Conclusion: The high seroprevalence of TTIs recorded in this study emphasises the importance of ELISA in screening blood donors rather than the use of RDT alone. There is a need to strengthen screening protocols and public awareness campaigns to reduce the burden of viral TTIs.