Prevalence of antibodies to human T-Iymphotropic virus type I among blood donors in Accra, Ghana
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Date
2003-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ghana Medical Journal
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.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
human T-Iymphotropic virus type I, blood donors, Seroprevalence