No 41 - 2023

Blood donor screening 2022

In 2022, a total of 307,535 blood donations were screened. The number of positive donors is presented in Table 1.

For comparison, in 2021, a total of 290,467 blood donations were screened. Overall, some decline has, however, been observed in the number of positive donors since Statens Serum Institut started reporting this figure in 1989, Figure 1.

The Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention holds information on screening of blood for HIV as from 1986, and for hepatitis B and C as from 1994, Figure 1.

HIV

A single HIV-positive donor was detected in 2022. The donor in question was a multiple donor. Look-back was performed for the recipients (patients who had received blood from the donor); all recipients tested negative following transfusion.

Hepatitis B

In 2022, one person tested positive to hepatitis B. The person in question was a first-time donor.

Hepatitis C

In 2022, one person tested positive to hepatitis C. The person in question was a first-time donor.

Commentary

In 2022, the number and incidence of positive donors in Denmark remained very low.

As the number of positive donors is very low, these donors are not described further here.

Since 2011, between none and one HIV-positive person has been found in the blood donor corps. Until March 2000, men were excluded from the donor corps if they had engaged in sex with men at any time. This provision was subsequently changed. Men who have sex with men may now donate blood provided they observe a four-month quarantine period. The period serves to avoid that a donor gives blood while in the so-called window phase, within which newly infected persons may test HIV negative even though their blood is infectious. A proposal has been presented regarding additional shortening of the HIV quarantine period.

The Danish Patient Safety Authority annually publishes “Report for the blood product area” (in Danish language), which describes in greater detail the blood transfusion area.

(A.K. Hvass, S. Cowan, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention)
11 October 2023