Blood donation screening at a tertiary care center in North India identified 129 infections among 5,163 donations between 2021 and July 2026, according to a study published in Cureus.
Researchers at King George’s Medical University and Hind Institute of Medical Sciences found an overall reactivity rate of 2.50% for transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) remained the most common marker, accounting for more than half of all reactive cases.
The study, which reviewed records from 2021 through July 26, 2026, noted a statistically significant upward trend in overall infection reactivity between 2021 and 2025. While overall rates fluctuated annually, syphilis showed a distinct, persistent increase across the same period.
Hepatitis B was the predominant concern, appearing in 66 of the 129 reactive cases. Hepatitis C was the second most frequent, found in 36 donations. HIV and malaria remained relatively rare throughout the study window, with only three HIV-reactive cases identified.
The reactive donor population was overwhelmingly male, representing 96.9% of all positive screenings. Most reactive donors were relatively young, with 82.9% aged 40 or younger. Researchers said that these findings describe the specific donor pool at the facility and should not be interpreted as direct estimates of infection prevalence in the general community.
All 129 donors who tested reactive for a TTI received counseling on the same day as their donation. Documentation showed that 96.1% of these individuals were referred to specialized care within one day of their initial screening.
While the facility maintained a high standard for timely notification, the study did not track whether donors successfully attended these follow-up appointments. The researchers emphasized that bridging the gap between screening notification and long-term linkage to care remains a critical hurdle for blood centers in the region.
Why does donor screening not reflect community infection rates? Blood donors are a selected group who must meet specific health and eligibility criteria before they are allowed to give blood. This selection process means the prevalence of infections among donors does not represent the broader population.
What is the significance of the syphilis trend? The study observed a statistically significant increasing linear trend for syphilis reactivity from 2021 to 2025.
Researchers view this as an important surveillance signal for the blood center, though they caution that screening reactivity is not the same as a confirmed clinical diagnosis.
How is blood safety managed after a reactive screening? Standard operating procedures require that reactive units are discarded and the donor is notified.
In this study, all reactive donors were counseled on the same day and referred for further evaluation, though the study did not measure subsequent clinical outcomes or treatment initiation.
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