Prevalence of malaria in
blood donors in Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria
T. T. Epidi1*, C.D. Nwani2 and N. P.
Ugorji2
1Department
of Crop Production Technology, Niger Delta University,
Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
2
Department of Applied Biology, Ebonyi State University,
Abakaliki, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
tepidi@yahoo.com.
Accepted
25 March, 2008 |
|
In view of the problem of transfusional malaria, the
prevalence of Plasmodium in transfused blood was assessed.
Blood film examination for malaria parasites in donor blood
transfused to patients in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State of Nigeria
was carried out over a 5-month period. Blood group O was the
dominant blood type (74%). A high malaria parasite
prevalence rate of 51.5% was noted in transfused donor
blood. All blood groups and Rhesus factor types were
infected with malaria parasites and there was no significant
increase in malaria infection rate in any particular blood
group type. Method of blood procurement was observed as a
major risk factor of transmission, with commercial blood
donor having the highest proportion of parasitic
contamination.
Key
words:
donor blood, plasmodium, prevalence, transfusional malaria. |
