Risk factors for viral coinfections in blood donors in a retrospective
cohort in Bahia, Brazil
Abstract
Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Human T
Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus
(HCV) coinfection may lead to disease progression or worsen its clinical
presentation. Viral coinfections screening during blood donation is
critical. Methods: To identify risk factors for coinfection
among blood donors, we assessed the blood donations at the Fundação de
Hematologia e Hemoterapia da Bahia, from 2008 – 2017. We compared
single infection versus coinfection, defined as individuals with two or
more blood-borne viruses. A multivariable logistic regression model was
performed to evaluate independent associations between characteristics
of donors with single infection and multiple infection using
“non-infection” category as reference. Results: Among 777,446
collected blood donations, 27,458 (3.5%) were reactive, most (n=26,677,
97.6%) for a single infection and 681 (2.4%) for coinfection. The most
frequent coinfections were HBV-HIV (30.6%), HBV-HCV (30.4%), and
HBV-HTLV (24.4%). Male sex, lower education, being single, and being a
first-time donor were independently associated with both single and
coinfection. Nevertheless, the adjusted odds for risk factors of
coinfection were notably higher than for single infection.
Conclusions: Single and coinfection shared identical risks, but
they were significantly higher for coinfection. Preventive strategies
addressing the identified risks can decrease transmission of blood-borne
viruses via blood transfusion.