Detection of reactive serological markers in volunteer donors: an indicator of the epidemiological situation in Esmeraldas, Ecuador 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Blood donation is an essential altruistic act for public health. However, the transmission of infectious diseases through blood transfusions poses a significant risk. The World Health Organization has highlighted the persistence of this problem globally. Therefore, the timely detection of serological markers in donors is crucial to ensure the safety of transfusions. Objective: This study aimed to assess the incidence of serological markers associated with infectious diseases in blood donors at the Ecuadorian Red Cross Blood Bank in Esmeraldas during a four-month period (May-August 2023). Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study was conducted using anonymized data from 407 donors. The presence of serological markers corresponding to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), syphilis, and Chagas disease was identified. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The results showed a substantial proportion of donors with reactive serological markers for the studied infectious diseases. These findings suggest a high prevalence of these infections in the donor population of Esmeraldas. When comparing these results with national epidemiological data, a concordance was observed, indicating that the study data reflect the epidemiological situation of the province. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the need to strengthen prevention and control actions for bloodborne infectious diseases in this region and emphasize the importance of continuing to rigorously monitor the quality of donated blood.