Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in blood donors at the Blood Transfusion Center of Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital in Rabat Morocco

: The purpose of this report is to present the findings of a retrospective study (2008-2009) to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus in blood donors at the Blood Transfusion Center of Military Teaching Hospital Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco. Samples from 19,801 consecutive blood donors were analyzed by the immuno-enzymatic method (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay, third generation). The overall seroprevalence of HBV and HCV was 0.8% and 0.2% respectively. A total of 98 units were rejected because of elevated alanine transaminase. No case of co-infection was found. From 1991 to 2010, HBV and HCV seropositivity showed a significant declining trend. In spite of the low prevalence observed, this study confirms that the risk of transfusion transmitted infection exists and thus underlines the need to implement preventive strategies to improve blood transfusion safety.