Keywords
blood-borne infections
HIV
HBV
HCV
syphilis
blood safety
Democratic Republic of the Congo
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction
Blood safety in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains a major challenge due to the risk of transmission of blood-borne infections such as HIV, HBV, HCV, and Treponema pallidum. Despite efforts to improve screening practices, these infections persist among blood donors.
Purpose
To examine the evolution of the transmission of blood-borne infections among blood donors at the University Clinics of Kinshasa between 2019 and 2022.
Methodology
This retrospective study analysed data from 3,528 blood donors at the University Clinics of Kinshasa between 2019 and 2022. Donors were tested for serological markers of HIV, HBV, HCV, and Treponema pallidum using immunochromatographic tests and ELISA. Sociodemographic, clinical, and biological data were collected and analysed using SPSS version 26.
Results
A total of 3,920 blood donations were included, with a prevalence of 2.8% for HBV, 1.9% for HCV, 1.3% for HIV, and 0.8% for syphilis. Annual variations in blood-borne infections were observed. HBV prevalence increased from 3.5% in 2019 to 5.0% in 2021. For HCV, the prevalence decreased from 3.0% in 2019 to 1.1% in 2020 (p < .05). The prevalence of syphilis increased from 0.4% in 2019 to 1.0% and was statistically significant (p < .05). HIV prevalence varied from 1.2% to 1.8% during the study period.
Conclusion
Despite measurable improvements in screening methods and blood donor safety protocols, residual infection risk remains. It is crucial to improve screening procedures and establish continuous epidemiological monitoring. A multisectoral approach involving health authorities and the community is necessary to enhance blood safety in the DRC.
References
Adjei, A., Armah, H., & Narter-Olaga, E. (2006). Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among some voluntary blood donors at the 37 military hospital, Accra, Ghana. Ghana Medical Journal, 40(3), 99–104.
Ahmed, S. G., Ibrahim, U. A., & Hassan, A. W. (2007). Adequacy and pattern of blood donations in north-eastern Nigeria: The implications for blood safety. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 101(8), 725–731.
Allain, J. P. (2011). Moving on from voluntary non-remunerated donors: Who is the best blood donor? British Journal of Haematology, 154(6), 763–769.
Bani, M., & Giussani, B. (2010). Gender differences in giving blood: A review of the literature. Blood Transfusion, 8(4), 278–287. https://doi.org/10.2450/2010.0156-09
Belkacemi, Y., & Merad, S. (2020). Prévalence des marqueurs infectieux chez les donneurs de sang. Médecine et Maladies Infectieuses, 50(6S). https://www.em-consulte.com/article/1383185/prevalence-des-marqueurs-infectieux-chez-les-donne
Bouhou, S., Lahjouji, K., Benajiba, M., & Masrar, A. (2021). Gestion de l’impact de la pandémie COVID-19 sur le système transfusionnel: Expérience du Centre national marocain de transfusion sanguine et d’hématologie (CNTSH). Transfusion Clinique et Biologique, 28(4), S100.
Carver, A., Chell, K., Davison, T. E., & Masser, B. (2017). What motivates men to donate blood? A systematic review of the evidence. Vox Sanguinis, 113(3), 270–282. https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.12625
Lee, K.-A., Flores, R. R., Jang, I. H., Saathoff, A., & Robbins, P. D. (2022). Immune senescence, immunosenescence and aging. Frontiers in Aging, 3, 900028. https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2022.900028
Loua, A., & Nze Nkoure, G. (2010). Relative safety of first-time volunteer and replacement donors in Guinea. Transfusion, 50(8), 1850–1851; author reply 1851–1852.
Mayaki, Z., Dardenne, N., Kabo, R., Moutschen, M., Sondag, D., Albert, A., et al. (2013). Séroprévalence des marqueurs de l’infection chez les donneurs de sang à Niamey (Niger). Revue d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, 61(3), 233–240.
Mbanya, D. N., Feunou, F., & Tayou, T. C. (2010). Volunteer or family/replacement donations: Are the tides changing? Transfusion, 50(8), 1849–1850; author reply 1851–1852.
Metsu, D., Nouhaud, M., El-Balkhi, S., Lavit, M., Paillard, H., Berthomès, P., et al. (2022). Criblage toxicologique urinaire par une méthode automatisée immunoenzymatique multiparamétrique basée sur une technique de biopuce: Comparaison à de l’immunochromatographie et de la chromatographie liquide couplée à de la spectrométrie de masse. Annales de Biologie Clinique, 80(4), 369–384.
Nasrallah, G. K., Younes, N., Khalid, H. M., Al-Emadi, J. A., Younes, S., Abouassali, M. N., Elshaikh, M. A., Karime, I. W., Ibrahim, M. A., Ali, M. M., Al Shaar, I., Liu, N., Ayoub, H., Yassine, H. M., Abu-Raddad, L. J., & Ismail, A. (2024). Evaluation of the Mindray CL900i CLIA HIV Ag/Ab combo assay for sensitive and specific HIV screening compared to established methods. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 28177. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78271-z
Niangaly, Y. (2021). Séroprévalence des marqueurs viraux chez les donneurs du sang au Centre de Santé de Référence de Koro de 2016 à 2019 [Master’s thesis, Université des Sciences et Technologies de Bamako]. https://www.bibliosante.ml/handle/123456789/5065
Nzaji, M. K., & Ilunga, B. K. (2013). Prévalence des marqueurs infectieux chez les donneurs de sang en milieu rural. Cas de l’hôpital général de référence de Kamina. Santé Publique, 25(2), 213–217.
Nzengu-Lukusa, F., Yuma-Ramazani, S., Sokolua-Mvika, E., Dilu-Keti, A., Malenga-Nkanga, B., Shuli, J. B., et al. (2016). Carence en fer, anémie et anémie ferriprive chez les donneurs de sang à Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo. Pan African Medical Journal, 23(174). https://www.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/23/174/pdf/174.pdf
O’Brien, S. (2022). Professional Education. Rapport de surveillance 2022. https://professionaleducation.blood.ca/fr/rapport-de-surveillance-2022
Pamatika, C. M., Parakandji, J., Mbeko-Simaleko, M., Balekouzou, A., Nembi, G., Moussa, R., Ngando, F., & Mossoro-Kpinde, C. D. (2022). Incidence et risque résiduel de transmission du VIH par transfusion sanguine chez les donneurs réguliers de sang de Bangui et Bimbo en République Centrafricaine en 2019. Annales Africaines de Médecine, 15(3), e4671–e4680. https://doi.org/10.4314/aamed.v15i3.4
Park, I. U., Tran, A., Pereira, L., & Fakile, Y. (2020). Sensitivity and specificity of treponemal-specific tests for the diagnosis of syphilis. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 71(Suppl 1), S13–S20. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa349
Rakotoniaina, A., Randriamanantany, Z., Ranaivosoa, K., Andriambelo, V., Fortuné, H., Rakoto Alson, O., et al. (2013). Séroprévalence du VIH, VHB, VHC et de Treponema pallidum chez les donneurs du sang bénévoles au Centre National de Transfusion Sanguine d’Antananarivo de 1992 à 2010. Revue Médicale Malgache, 3(2). https://rmm.mg/publication/86
Roback, J. D. (2002). CMV and blood transfusions. Reviews in Medical Virology, 12(4), 211–219.
Sumbu, B. M. M., Longo-Mbenza, B., Ahuka-Mundeke, S., Muwonga, J. M., Mvumbi-Lelo, G., Maphana, H. M., et al. (2018). Association entre les virus du syndrome d’immunodéficience acquise et le virus de l’hépatite C chez les jeunes donneurs de sang à Kinshasa: Analyse rétrospective de 10 années. Transfusion Clinique et Biologique, 25(1), 26–34.
Tagny, C. T., Mbanya, D., Garraud, O., & Lefrère, J. J. (2007). Sécurité transfusionnelle: Paludisme et don de sang en Afrique. Transfusion Clinique et Biologique, 14(5), 481–486.
Tagny, C. T., Mbanya, D., Tapko, J. B., & Lefrère, J. J. (2008). Blood safety in Sub-Saharan Africa: A multi-factorial problem. Transfusion, 48(6), 1256–1261.
Vermeulen, M., Dickens, C., Lelie, N., Walker, E., Coleman, C., Keyter, M., et al. (2012). Hepatitis B virus transmission by blood transfusion during 4 years of individual-donation nucleic acid testing in South Africa: Estimated and observed window period risk. Transfusion, 52(4), 880–892.
Vermeulen, M., Lelie, N., Sykes, W., Crookes, R., Swanevelder, J., Gaggia, L., et al. (2009). Impact of individual-donation nucleic acid testing on risk of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus transmission by blood transfusion in South Africa. Transfusion, 49(6), 1115–1125.
World Health Organization. (2001). Rapport sur la sécurité transfusionnelle dans le monde: 1998-1999. Global database on blood safety: Summary report: 1998-1999. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/68956
World Health Organization. (2010). Dépistage des infections transmissibles par transfusion dans les dons de sang: recommandations. Organisation mondiale de la Santé. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/112663
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.