Authors : J. A. Alli, I. O. Okonko, O. A. Abraham, A. F. Kolade, P.N. Ogunjobi, A. O. Salako, M. O. Ojezele and J. C. Nwanze
Abstract: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of blood parasites (Plasmodium falciparum, Microfilaria, HIV, HBsAg, HCV antibodies) in prospective Nigerian blood donors. About 200 blood donors at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria were recruited for this study. Samples of blood were collected, transported, stored and processed using standard laboratory procedures. Additional information was obtained using a proforma specially designed for this purpose. Both paid and volunteer blood donors were screened for HIV, HBsAg and HCV antibodies using the rapid test kits. The presence of microfilaria in blood and low haematocrit were also checked for. Prospective donors were initially sorted using a structured questionnaire on risk behaviour and were physically examined. Screenings were done before bleeding them. Thick and thin blood films were also Giemsa stained and observed for the presence of malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum) while wet preparation and Mayer’s haemalum was used for detection of microfilaria. The results showed that most of the blood donors in this study were males 84.5%. The male:female ratio was 5:1. The age of donors ranged from 18-65 years (mean age = 34.7 years). A total of 93 (46.5%) blood donors were positive for Plasmodium falciparum and only 2 (1.0%) were positive for filaria (Mansonella perstans). Higher rate of malaria parasite infection was observed in female donors, 51.6% (n = 16) than in their male counterparts, 45.6% (n = 77) while filarial infection was also found to be higher among the females 1 (3.2%) than their male counterparts 1(0.6%). However, prevalence of malaria parasite was not gender-dependent (p = 0.535; df = 1). Malaria parasite was found in all age groups; prevalence of malaria and filarial parasite was lower in subject <45 years of age, 41.4 and 0.6%, respectively relative to those 45 years and above 68.4 and 2.6%, respectively. However, prevalence of malaria parasite was age-dependent (p = 0.03; df = 1). Progressive increase in prevalence of malaria was observed as the age increases, filarial rate also followed regular pattern. Statistical analysis also showed no significant association between the prevalence of microfilaria and malarial infection (p>0.05; df = 1). Statistically there was no significant difference in the distri bution of parasitic load by age (p = 0.082; df = 1) and by gender (p = 0.071; df = 1). However, none of the blood donors in this study were positive for HBsAg or antibodies to HIV and HCV. Majority of the donors were blood group type O (51.0%). All blood group types had malaria parasites, blood group AB had the predominant infection rate, 3 (60.0%) for malaria parasites followed by A and O groups having 27 (51.9%) and 46 (45.9%), respectively. The blood group B had the least infection rate of 17 (41.5%). Microfilaria parasitaemia was only recorded in blood groups AB and O having 1 (20.0%) and 1 (0.9%) infection rate, respectively. Statistically, there was no significant difference in the distri bution of infections by blood groups (p = 0.687) and no significant difference between parasitic load and blood groups (p = 0.488). Examining the distribution of the infections by blood groups showed that infection rate did not follow any regular pattern. Also, malaria infection was higher among farmers (83.3%) and artisans (48.1%), donors with non-formal education (83.3%), undisclosed marital status (61.5%) involuntary donors (54.5%) and repeat donors (48.7%) and those donating for family members (47.7%), donors with history of blood transfusion (60.0%), past infections (54.5%) and history of medication (50.0%), as well as among those without history of jaundice (100.0%), surgery (47.6) and tattoo/incision/tribal marks (47.2%). The study has revealed the presence of malaria parasites and microfilaria transmission among Nigerian blood donors and the infection rate can be considered as high. Malaria parasite infection rate is high among the blood donors while filarial infection is low however, none of the blood donors were positive for HBsAg or antibodies to HIV and HCV, thus emphasizes the importance of routine screening of blood donors for malaria to prevent malaria transmission through blood transfusion. The need for intensive health education to encourage voluntary donation and promote the interest of females in blood donation is emphasized.
J. A. Alli, I. O. Okonko, O. A. Abraham, A. F. Kolade, P.N. Ogunjobi, A. O. Salako, M. O. Ojezele and J. C. Nwanze, 2010. A Serosurvey of Blood Parasites (Plasmodium, Microfilaria, HIV, HBsAG, HCV Antibodies) in Prospective Nigerian Blood Donors. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 4: 255-275.