Seroprevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus among blood donors at a national reference center in Asunción, Paraguay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21743142Keywords:
HTLV, seroprevalence, blood donors, transfusion safety, ParaguayAbstract
Introduction: Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-1/2) is a retrovirus transmitted sexually, vertically, and through transfusion; therefore, its detection in blood donors is part of blood safety.
Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of HTLV among blood donors at the National Blood Services Center of Asunción, Paraguay, during 2020, and to describe the characteristics of reactive cases.
Materials and methods: A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted based on 17,932 donations recorded in 2020. Anti-HTLV-I/II antibody detection was performed by chemiluminescence, without discrimination between the two viral types. Donor type and sociodemographic variables of reactive cases were analyzed.
Results: Forty-five reactive donations were identified, corresponding to a seroprevalence of 0.25%. Among reactive cases, 42 (93%) came from replacement donors and 3 (7%) from voluntary donors. A slight male predominance was observed (25/45; 56%) and a mean age of 39 ± 12 years. The most frequent age group was 22 to 27 years (11/45; 24%). The most frequently recorded place of origin was the Central department (12/45; 27%), although this information was missing in 24 cases (53%).
Conclusions: HTLV seroprevalence was low but confirms the presence of reactive donations at a national reference center. The high proportion of replacement donors and incomplete sociodemographic data reinforce the need to sustain screening and improve record quality.
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