Sero-detection of Epstein Barr Virus antibodies among blood donors in Khartoum state

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) (VCA) IgG antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), among blood donors attending Blood Bank Department at National Public Health Laboratory in Khartoum State, from January to February 2015 . A total of 90 subjects were included , 75 blood donors and 15 controls with age ranging from 18-63 years . The results revealed that the prevalence of EBV (VCA) IgG in the total samples were 83(92.2% ) and among blood donors was 69(92%) ، while 14(93.3% ) in control subjects . Possible risk factors were examined in this study including age , sex, marital status , major blood groups and previous blood transfusion. All these showed no significant effect ( P> 0.05 ) on EBV IgG antibodies among both blood donors and control group. The results obtained showed that the prevalence of Epestin Barr Virus (VCA) IgG antibodies among both blood donors and control group increased with age,while it was 58(90.6%), 13(92.8%) in male, 11(100%), 1(100%) in female, 43(93.4%), 6(85%) in single, 26(89%), 8(100%) in married and 2(100%), 0(0%) in previously blood transfusion respectively. The results showed that EBV is endemic in Sudan . Although primary EBV infection among normal immunocompetant individuals is not one of the clinically serious viral infections in Sudan, but the serious complications of diseases that occur in immunocompromised individuals (transplant recipients and AIDS) can not be neglected . This study recommends the screening of blood for EBV antibodies among blood and organ transplant donors