SEROPREVALENCE, TRENDS, AND CO-INFECTION OF HIV, HBV, AND HCV INFECTIONS AMONG BLOOD DONORS AT THE CENTRE NATIONAL HOSPITALIER EL-MAAROUF IN MORONI-COMOROS FROM 2018 TO 2022

Blood transfusion saves many lives, but can also be a potential vector for the transmission of persistent viral infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, few data are available on the prevalence of these infections among blood donors in the Comoros archipelago. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and trends of TTVIs: HIV, HCV and HBV in the blood bank of El-Maarouf Hospital in Moroni-Comoros. This is a retrospective study conducted over the period 2018-2022, which included a total of 9086 individuals. The serological tests used were rapid serum/plasma immunochromatography tests for the detection of HIV, HBV and HCV serological markers. The prevalence of transfusion-transmitted viral infections (TTVIs) was 2.55% (232 cases) for single infections and 0.08% (6 cases) for co-infections. The prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV was 0.04% (4), 0.25% (26), and 2.35% (214), respectively. Overall, our study found a low prevalence of TTVIs within the Moroni blood bank in Ngazidja-Comoros during the study period compared to neighboring countries. However, to fully understand the dynamics of infection within the Comoros archipelago, it is imperative to conduct further studies in the other islands of archipelago.