HTLV-I/II Seroprevalence and Cost-Effectiveness of Blood Donor Screening in Saudi Arabia a focus on the Eastern province “A Retrospective Study”

Abstract

Human T-lymphotropic virus type I and II (HTLV-I/II) infections pose significant public health concerns due to their association with severe diseases such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). However, limited data exist on the prevalence and confirmation of HTLV infection among blood donors in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence and cost-effectiveness of HTLV-I/II screening among blood donors in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. This retrospective study was conducted at the Dammam Regional Laboratory and Blood Bank from January 2020 to December 2023. Data were obtained from the donor database, including all blood donors during the study period. Screening for HTLV antibodies was performed using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay (CMIA), followed by confirmatory testing with Western blot analysis. Among 101,821 blood donors, 56 donations were initially reactive for HTLV antibodies. Confirmatory testing identified one case of HTLV infection, resulting in an overall seroprevalence of 0.0009%. The findings suggest a minimal risk of HTLV transmission among blood donors in this region. Continued surveillance and stringent screening protocols are essential for maintaining blood safety and minimizing the risk of HTLV transmission in the region. Further research is needed to understand the epidemiology and clinical implications of HTLV infection in this population. Replicated studies in different regions of Saudi Arabia may indicate the necessity of revising current HTLV screening recommendations, potentially customizing HTLV testing for specific populations rather than all donors. Conservative protocols might be adopted.