Changes in transfusion-transmissible infection prevalence and demographics among US blood donors during the COVID-19...

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Transfusion Medicine

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the US blood supply.
• Understanding changes in blood donor characteristics and infectious disease prevalence is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare blood donor demographics and infectious disease marker prevalence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To analyze trends in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence.

Main Methods:

• A large multicenter database was utilized, categorizing data into "Before COVID-19" (March 2018-February 2020) and "During COVID-19" (March 2020-February 2022).
• Donor demographics, donation frequency, and infectious marker prevalence were compared between the two periods.
• Multivariable logistic regression was employed to calculate the odds of infection.

Main Results:

• Over 26 million donations were analyzed, revealing significant shifts in donor demographics during the pandemic, including increases in female, older (40+), white, and repeat donors.
• Donation frequency increased among these demographic groups.
• Prevalence of HIV and HCV significantly decreased during the pandemic, while HBV prevalence increased. Adjusted odds showed no change for HIV, increased likelihood for HBV, and decreased likelihood for HCV.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to notable changes in US blood donor demographics and infectious disease marker prevalence.
• Continued monitoring of infection prevalence in the donor population is essential to ascertain if these changes are pandemic-specific.