Patterns of age- and sex-specific prevalence of major blood-borne infections in United States blood donors, 1995 to 2002: American Red Cross blood donor study

BACKGROUND: The American Red Cross has been maintaining a research database of all blood donations, including all testing results for infectious disease markers, since 1995. This study analyzes the temporal trends of major blood-borne infections among blood donors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Temporal trends for age- and sex-specific prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis infections in US blood donors were analyzed based on linear trend or time series model or other models as appropriate.

RESULTS: From 1995 to 2002, significant declines have been observed for infections that used to be at relatively higher levels. Declines in prevalence were slower among first-time donations than repeat donations. There was an increase in prevalence of anti-HCV among first-time male donors of 50 to 59 years of age. Anti-HIV prevalence appeared to have increased among first-time male donors of 30 to 39 years of age since 2000.

CONCLUSION: Different sex and age groups showed various patterns of decline and even signs of increase. The increasing prevalence among some age and sex groups may merit further investigation.