IGG-antibody seroprevalence of West Nile Virus among blood donors in Nairobi and Nakuru regional blood transfusion testing centers in Kenya

Abstract

Background: West Nile Virus (WNV) is an arbovirus transmitted by infected mosquitoes which cause most of its incidence (CDC, 2015). It is transmitted by the culex mosquito which is prevalent in Kenya.

Objective: To determine and compare the sero prevalence of WNV among blood donors in Nairobi and Nakuru Regional blood transfusion testing centers in Kenya.

Study design: A cross-sectional study

Setting: It was carried out in two Regional Blood Transfusion Centers (RBTCs) which are based in Nairobi and Nakuru. These two centers are associated with possible low and high prevalence respectively.

Subject: A total of 180 blood samples were randomly selected over a period of one month. These blood samples were tested for WNV IgG using ELISA. Results: Majority of the donors were below 35 years of age and were predominantly male. WNV IgG prevalence was 15% in blood donors (95% CI 10-20.5%). Prevalence of cross infection of TTI and WNV was 8.3% (95% CI 4.4- 12.2%). The prevalence of WVN IgG was highest in the 19-35 years’ age group (16.5%) and females (21.6%) though the results were not statistically significant. There was no difference in the IgG positivity between the different centers.

Conclusion: Infection with WNV should be of public health concern because about a fifth of those infected with WNV develop illness. About 10% of those who develop neurological symptoms succumb to the disease.