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Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) P24 Antigen Among HIV Antibody - Negative Blood Donors in Kano, Nigeria
Abstract
We investigated the possible risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission through transfusion of screened HIV-I and II antibody negative blood by evaluating the prevalence of HIV-I P24 antigen in screened blood
units. A total of 330 consecutive HIV-I antibody negative blood units were tested for HIV-I P24 antigen by direct ELISA. Eleven of 330 (3.3%) tested positive to HIV-1 P24 antigens. Highest prevalence of 2.1% was observed among the 113 donors within the age group of 31 – 40 years. Blood units of all female donors tested negative to HIV-1 P24 antigens. This calls for the need to supplement the HIV antibody testing with antigen test to reduce the risk of viral transmission through blood donated at the window period of HIV infection.
units. A total of 330 consecutive HIV-I antibody negative blood units were tested for HIV-I P24 antigen by direct ELISA. Eleven of 330 (3.3%) tested positive to HIV-1 P24 antigens. Highest prevalence of 2.1% was observed among the 113 donors within the age group of 31 – 40 years. Blood units of all female donors tested negative to HIV-1 P24 antigens. This calls for the need to supplement the HIV antibody testing with antigen test to reduce the risk of viral transmission through blood donated at the window period of HIV infection.
