Epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 antibodies in healthy blood donors and their follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic/presymptomatic COVID-19 affected individuals who may appear healthy during blood donor screening can donate blood despite being infective. Most blood donors in India are relatives/friends/acquaintances of patients, who under peer pressure overlook the donor selection process, which can significantly impact the transfusion safety.

AIMS: The prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies among blood donors was assessed, along with the possible transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 virus in transfusion recipients of blood components prepared from sero-reactive blood donors.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among eligible blood donors from November-2020 to April 2021.

METHODS: 1500 blood donors were tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Sero-reactive donors were followed-up telephonically to inquire about risk factors prior to donation or appearance of COVID-19 related symptoms postdonation. Patients transfused with blood components from seroreactive donors were also followed up for posttransfusion symptoms suggestive for COVID-19. Descriptive analysis was done for the donor and patient follow-up data.

RESULTS: A total of 452 (30.1%) donor were reactive, with median S/CO ratio of 2.8 (interquartile range 1.5-5.5). Risk factors such as travel, contact, or quarantine were significantly higher among reactive donors. History of diabetes and/or hypertension was associated with seroreactivity. Total 516 patients were transfused with blood components from these seroreactive donors. Three patients developed fever after transfusion, one of which was found to be PCR positive after 4 days of transfusion.

CONCLUSION: Sero-reactivity rate among blood donors was lower than the general population. Optimum blood donor screening strategies can help decrease the possibility of blood collection from infected blood donors.