Prevalence of antibodies to human T-Iymphotropic virus type I among blood donors in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Several infectious diseases have been found to be associated with transfusion of blood or blood components. Reports from studies conducted in many African countries indicate high incidence of blood-borne pathogens such as human Tlympholropic virus type-I ( HTLV- I) infections among healthy blood donors. The prevalence of HTLV- I antibodies in blood donors in Ghana is not well documented. This study was therefore conducted to determine the prevalence of HTL V- I antibodies among blood donors seen between the months of June and July 2001 at the National Blood Transfusion Service. Accra Area Centre (Blood Bank) at the Korle Du Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. The presence of antibodies specific for HTLV-I was tested using particle agglutination test kit. of the 265 sera tested . 220 (83%) were males and 45 (17%) were females. A seroprevalence rate of 4.2% (11/265) was found. The prevalence rate of antibody to HTL V·I was significantly (P<O.05) higher in female (8.9%; 4/45 ) than male (3.2%; 71220) blood donors. In both sexes, the age distribution of subjects positive for HTLV-1 antibodies was from 35 to 54 years. In conclusion, our results indicate that HTLV-1 is prevalent among healthy blood donors in Ghana; and that there is the need to introduce screening of donated blood for HTLV-1 in Ghana.