Discordant Sero-positive HIV antigen/antibody Assays Among Voluntary Blood Donors in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Haematogenous transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus is still a great risk to patients requiring blood transfusion particularly in areas with limited resources. The prevention of HIV transmission through this route requires tough donor selection criteria and meticulous screening of donated blood. This study aimed to determine the human immunodeficiency virus antigen and antibody status among voluntary blood donors using Determine and enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Six hundred (600) units of blood were voluntarily donated to the North Central Zonal Centre of the National Blood Transfusion Service in Jos, for human immunodeficiency screening tests. Blood were tube grouped and haemoglobin electrophoretic patterns were determined. A total of 600 units of blood were collected randomly from voluntary blood donors with age range 18 to 59 years (mean 28.3). The percentage of males and females involved were 70.0% and 30.0%, respectively. The total blood units collected included 49.5% and 50.5% from repeat and first time donors, respectively. Overall, HIV sero-positivity was found in 18(3.0%) of all donor blood units studied; with 4(1.4%) among repeat donors and 14(4.6%) among the first time donors. Isolated Determine HIV sero-positivity occurred in 10(1.3%) of all donors while ELISA showed isolated positive reaction in 5(0.8%), P=0.2. The rate of HIV sero-positivity was significantly higher among blood group O donors (3.3%) when compared with blood group B donors (3.1%), P=0.01. Donor blood haemoglobin protein electrophoretic patterns were 22.2% AS and 78.8% AA, with equal prevalence of positive HIV reactions. It was concluded that HIV infection is still common among voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBD) with ELISA screening tests missing in some positive donors.