Echelons of Some Haemoparasites among Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Although the therapeutic application of whole blood and blood components can be life-saving, inadequate screening of these products could pose life-threatening problems to the recipient. The aim of this study was to determine the echelons of some haemoparasites (malaria parasite, microfilaria and babesia species) among blood donors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria as well as quantifying their densities. A total of one hundred (100) prospective blood donors from the participating blood banks within 1951 years were recruited for this study. Two milliliters (2 mls) of venous blood was collected from the antecubital vein of each participant using standard venepuncture technique into ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) bottles and mixed properly to avoid blood clotting. Thick and thin blood films were used for the detection of haemoparasites. The data generated was analysed using statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Out of 100 samples examined, 23 (23.0%) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum. The highest prevalence was among the males 13 (13.0%), between the ages of 19-29 years and only 10 (10.0%) of the females were positive while the lowest prevalence was between the ages of 41-51. No positive case was observed for microfilaria and babesia species. The mean malaria parasite density for male subjects was 0.43 ± 0.23% while that of female subjects was 0.66 ± 0.23%. The female subjects had significantly higher malaria parasite density than the males (P = 0.03). The data obtained from this study provides information on the haemoparasite status, indicating level of malaria parasite among the prospective blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. It is therefore, recommended that malaria parasite screening test be included among other blood screening tests before any transfusion to avert the deleterious effects of malaria parasite on the recipient and to enhance a more safe blood for the purpose of transfusion.