TITLE:
Blood Safety in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Literature Review
AUTHORS:
Alain K. K. Ilunga, Cagod B. Inkale, Tharcise Kilara, Issac Woto, Gisele K. Kabengele, Berry I. Bongenya, Baudouin B. T. Buassa, Dieudonné T. Nyembue, Benoit O. Kabengele, Erick N. Kamangu
KEYWORDS:
Prevalence, Pathogens, Transfusion, Democratic Republic of the Congo
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Blood Diseases,
Vol.13 No.3,
September
21,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: The Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC) faces severe malaria, postpartum haemorrhage, malnutrition and sickle
cell disease that require transfusion. The
latter poses immunological, infectious, metabolic and hemodynamic risks to
recipients. Objective: To present transfusion safety in the DRC
through data from the literature. Methods: This review consists of
listing the various articles and abstracts published online and presented in
scientific conferences having as a subject of interest transfusion safety in
the DRC. Results: The review is dominated by articles from eastern DRC
and blood mobilization is around 0.5% of the general population. All screening
tests are serological with a proven residual risk. The prevalence of HIV, HBV,
HCV and syphilis infections is documented at more than 80% and represents
respectively 1.9%, 2.96%, 1.89% and 1.21%. The prevalence of other pathogens,
the immunological and haemodynamic risk are very poorly documented (12.5% to
25%). The prevalence of Parvovirus B19 infection is 5.3% and that of bacterial
contamination at 1.4%, that of malaria infestations between 0.3% and 28.3%,
that of trypanosomiasis at 1.3%, that of babebiosis at 0.17% in blood donors.
Allo-immunization represents 47.8%, adverse reactions 3.4%, iron deficiency
63.2, iron deficiency anemia 25.9% and anemia 36.5%. Pediatrics is the biggest
user of this blood. Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and
Syphilis infections is within the range of sub-Saharan African countries. The
serological test is systematic and involves the residual risk, it is necessary
to introduce the molecular tests. The prevalence of other pathogens (emerging
viruses, bacteria and hemoparasites), the immunological and metabolic risk is
poorly documented. The search for these pathogens, irregular antibodies and the
determination of ferritin in blood donations is not systematic.