Seropositivity of COVID-19 Among Healthy Voluntary Blood Donors and Its Association with Blood Groups: A Reflection of Burden of Asymptomatic COVID-19 Cases in The District of South Gujarat

Kiran Kumar M; Dimel Bhuva; Snehal Patel; Ankita Shah; Abhay Kavishvar

doi:10.55489/njcm.130920222311

Authors

Kiran Kumar M Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Center, Bangalore, India
Dimel Bhuva Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research, Surat, India
Snehal Patel Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research, Surat, India
Ankita Shah Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research, Surat, India
Abhay Kavishvar Government Medical College, Surat, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.130920222311

Keywords:

Seropositivity, bloodbank, blood group and COVID19, Natural history of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: First case of COVID-19 in the district was reported on 19^th March 2020, thereby increasing exponentially, presenting with various symptoms to having few or no symptoms, posing challenge to prevent disease transmission by being a significant source of infection. This study conducted to assess relationship between COVID-19 infection within blood groups and burden of reported cases in the district to seropositivity among donors.

Methodology: This is a prospective observational study from second largest blood bank of south Gujarat, catering to a population of seven million, 4916 donors from the month of August 2020 to May 2021 participated in the study.

Observations: Seropositivity was found to be 54.6%, with higher prevalence (68.63%) among female compared to male (54.45%), there was no statistical difference among age groups & RH groups, blood group AB was found to have highest seropositivity followed by A, B and O group. First time donors seropositivity was higher compared to frequent donors among the study participants. Seropositivity among donors was positively corelated with RTPCR Positivity rate reported in the district.

Conclusions: Looking at similar trend of active surveillance and its correlation to blood bank positivity, we urge policy makers to strengthen hospital-based surveillance for real time insights.

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