Seroprevalence of West Nile virus in blood donors referring to Kurdistan province blood bank

Background and Aim : West Nile virus (WNV) is an endemic infection in Africa and the Middle East that is not limited to international borders. Infected mosquito bites are the most common cause of this infection. There is no definitive treatment or vaccine for this infection. Its treatment is more supportive and based on controlling the symptoms of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of this virus in continuos blood donors as the most important and reliable sources of blood supply for patients in medical centers and also the spread and endemicity of this virus in the Middle East and the proximity of western provinces of Iran, With endemic areas of the virus.Methods : In a descriptive-analytical study, ۲۵۹ continuos blood donors referred to the Kurdistan Blood Transfusion Organization, after obtaining their informed consent and filling out a checklist, venous blood was taken from them and after separating the blood serum, the amount of IgM and IgG antibodies against West Nile virus were measured by ELISA in them. The results were analyzed using SPSS V.۲۰ software.Results : IgG antibodies were positive for IgM against West Nile virus in ۱۴ patients (۵.۴%) and ۳ patients (۱.۲%). In patients over ۴۰ years of age, seropositive IgG was observed in ۱۱ patients (۱۲.۵%). However, only ۳ patients (۱.۸%) of patients under ۴۰ years of age had seropositive IgG, which was statistically significant (OR = ۷.۹۵; ۹۵% CI: ۲.۱۶ to ۲۹.۳۲; p <۰.۰۱).Conclusion : : Due to the high value of blood and blood products of continuos blood donors, for medical purposes and the significant prevalence of this virus, as well as the presence of positive IgM cases, the need for screening blood donors in blood transfusion centers, in addition to routine viral tests, is essential and it seems necessary in the western region of the country.

کلیدواژه ها:

West Nile virus ، blood donors ، Kurdistan ، blood bank