Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis among Blood Donors in Western Maharashtra and a Newer Proposed Donor Screening Algorithm

Background: Blood is one of the important integral components of body constituents. The transfusion medicine has important role in saving life and also has great public health impact. Aim: This study highlights the seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTI) as well as reviews the policies for blood collection from donors by modifying the algorithm of screening tests. Materials and methods: This is retrospective study where total of 33,783 blood units for a period of 3 years January 2012 to December 2014 were tested by ELISA methods approved by National AIDS Control organization (NACO) and RPR was carried out for screening of Syphilis. Results: The seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV and syphilis was 0.9%, 3.2%, 0.35%, 0.04% respectively in total donors. Conclusion: The prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections is declining, but there is need to review the donor screening policies to improve the quality of transfusion medicine services.