A Three-Year Retrospective Analysis of Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTIs) Among Blood Donors at GEMS Tertiary Care Hospital

Pamula Sivakumar, Dogga Sunil Kumar, Songala Suneetha, Yavvari Raghu Srinivas, P. Jogi Naidu
Author(s)
1Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, Great Eastern Medical School & Hospital (GEMS&H), Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India. 2Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Great Eastern Medical School & Hospital (GEMS&H), Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India. 3Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, GEMS&H, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India. 4Professor & Head, Department of Pathology, GEMS&H, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Abstract

Background: Transfusion-transmitted infections threaten blood safety worldwide. Screening reduces risk. But pathogens persist. This study tracked TTI trends over three years at a South Indian tertiary centre. Material and Methods: We reviewed records of 16,936 blood donors from January 2023 to December 2025. All samples underwent fourth-generation ELISA for HIV and HBsAg, third-generation ELISA for HCV, and rapid tests for syphilis and malaria. We analyzed seroprevalence, temporal trends, and gender patterns using chi-square tests and Fisher's exact test. Results: Overall TTI seroprevalence was 1.70% (288/16,936). HBV led at 1.26%. Syphilis followed at 0.25%. HCV, HIV, and malaria were rare (0.09%, 0.07%, 0.005%). Annual rates fluctuated: 1.34% (2023), 1.97% (2024), 1.88% (2025). No linear trend emerged (χ² = 2.14, p = 0.143). All reactive cases occurred in males. Females comprised 0.83% of donors and showed zero reactivity. Conclusion: TTI burden remains low. HBV dominates. The 2024 peak signals need for vigilance. Gender imbalance in donor recruitment requires intervention. Routine screening works. NAT integration should be prioritized where feasible.

Keywords: Transfusion-transmitted infections; blood donor screening; seroprevalence; hepatitis B; HIV; hepatitis C; syphilis; epidemiology.

Outline