Immunochromatographic Test and Third Generation ELISA for Elucidating the Existence and Risk Factors of Anti-HCV Antibodies among Blood Donors from Swabi Pakistan

This cross sectional study was designed to investigate the frequency and potential risk factors of anti-HCV among blood donors as well as to elucidate the most sensitive screening method for routine practice in Bacha Khan Medical Complex (BKMC) Shahmansoor and District Head Quarter (DHQ) Hospital Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 3390 male volunteer blood donors with age range 18-55 years were screened for HCV-Ab through an immuno-chromatographic test (ICT) and 3rd generation-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The sensitivity of ICT and ELISA was also evaluated by comparing their results. Among 3390 donors, 59 (1.74 %) were found positive for HCV-Ab through ICT and 62 (1.82 %) were HCV-Ab positive by ELISA assay. The highest frequency rate (40.3 %) was observed among donors within the age group of 18-30 years followed by (27.4 %) among 31-40 years, (17.7 %) among 41-50 years and the lowest frequency (14.5 %) was found among 51-55 years. Dental treatment (37.0 %) was significantly associated with anti-HCV seropositivity followed by blood transfusion (20.9 %), major surgery (14.5 %), travel abroad and unknown reason (11.2 %) for each and the lowest anti-HCV association was observed among donors who shaved by the barbers (4.8 %). The results from ICT and ELISA indicated that ELISA is a more sensitive, and reliable technique for routine screening of blood donors to control infectious diseases particularly HCV infection.