Screening of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM Antibodies in Blood Donors: An Experience during Beginning of COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The spread of COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the number of blood donations, on blood supplies, and on blood safety. It was critical to ensure that all donations from healthy and asymptomatic people are free from active COVID-19 infection as few people were ready to donate blood during this pandemic and patients requiring frequent blood transfusions should have safe blood. Aim of this study was to conduct screening of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM Antibodies in healthy donors, to establish the magnitude of the threat that COVID-19 pandemic poses to blood safety.
Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 857 donations performed in a tertiary care hospital-based blood centre. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM Antibody detection in human blood was carried out using immunochromatography assay, as an additional test along with mandatory Infectious markers and positivity was estimated.

Results: Mean age of all healthy donors tested during this period was 32.83 years with 98.5% male population. Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody was detected in 6.3% cases and that of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibody as 0.11%. Younger age group showed a higher seropositivity. Correlation of seroprevalence with ABO grouping was not found but E antigen seems to be a protective factor.

Conclusion: Blood donors should be tested for Anti SARS Cov-2 IgG and IgM antibodies, as additional test along with other infectious markers, by a rapid, simple and highly sensitive test for safe blood supply till the time COVID-19 pandemic subsides.

Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID, Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM Antibodies, Blood Donors, E Antigen, Donor Screening.