The comparison of the prevalence rates of HBV, HCV, and HIV in blood donors having deferred for high risk behaviors

Selection of healthy blood donors is an important process to identify high risk volunteers. Monitoring and evaluation of the deferral procedure is of the highest importance to balance blood availability and safety. The aim of the current study was to compare the prevalence of HBV، HCV and HIV serologic markers between deferred donors and eligible blood donors to assess the value of the current donor selection process. Six hundred and nineteen voluntary blood donors in Ahvaz city were included. Serum samples from deferred and eligible donors were examined for serologic markers of HBV، HCV، and HIV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All positive samples were confirmed using confirmatory tests. The prevalence rates of HBV infection among deferred and eligible blood donors were estimated to be 0. 5% and 0. 2%، respectively. Anti-HCV reactivity was detected among 1. 3% of deferred blood donors. Moreover، the prevalence of anti-HIV among deferred and eligible blood donors was 0. 2% and 0. 05%، respectively. We found that the overall prevalence rates of HBsAg، anti-HCV، and anti-HIV in the deferred blood donors are significantly higher than those in the eligible blood donors. The results of this study indicate the high prevalence rate of blood borne infections. Moreover، it seems that the current donor selection process is effective to identify healthy blood donors. However، the effectiveness of some of the currently used deferral questions in reducing viral risks warrants further study.