Profile of blood donors and seroepidemiology of dengue in a blood center in the Brazilian Amazon

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20184204893916

Abstract

Dengue is considered the most important clinical arbovirus. Cases of transmission by blood transfusion and contaminated donors have already been described previously. Considering this reality, this study aimed to investigate the seroepidemiological profile of dengue in blood donors at the Blood Bank of the State of Amapá (HEMOAP), as well as the socio-epidemiological and donation profiles of the participants. In the period from May to June 2017, 298 blood samples were subsequently tested for IgM and IgG antibodies against dengue using immunochromatography and PCR analysis for the detection of the virus and its serotypes. Information on donation type and donor type was acquired through the HEMOAP database. Participants also answered a socio-epidemiological questionnaire. Among the participants in the survey, the majority were male, aged 18-29 years old, completed high school, privately employed workers, with a monthly family income of one to three minimum wages. Most were repeat donors as well as replacement donations. Regarding the antibody test, three samples (1%) showed reactive results for the IgM antibody against dengue, four (1.3%) reactions for IgG and two (0.7%) reactions for both antibodies. The virus was not identified in any of the samples analyzed. No significant frequency of anti-dengue antibodies has been detected in donors, however, studies such as these help in understanding this disease, as well as enriching the debate on the risk of possible transmission of dengue by blood transfusion.