Seroprevalence of Treponema Pallidum in Donor Blood at the University Of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the Seroprevalence of Treponema pallidum in Donor blood at University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City.

Materials and Method: This is a descriptive hospital based study. Donor blood supplied to the hospital blood bank was screened for syphilis. The study was conducted between February and October 2012. Syphilis antibody was tested using the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test screening kit by Acumen diagnostics limited.

Results: A total of 7,996 unit of blood was screened for Treponema pallidium antibody during the study period. Ninety five (95) units of blood tested positive for VDRL test, giving a sero-prevalence of 1.19%.

Conclusion: The Seroprevalence of syphilis in UBTH is low (1.19%) and is comparable with those in some centres in Nigeria and elsewhere. There is need to sustain routine screening for the spirochaete in blood donors and stringent donor selection criteria should be enforced to further reduce the risk of transfusion transmissible infections including syphilis