Abstract

To contribute to the assessment of blood donor health at the Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Ouagadougou (CRTSO), we evaluated serum protein fractions in voluntary blood donors. The study included individuals deemed fit to donate blood after a pre-donation medical interview at the CRTSO. Data, including blood grouping and serology results (HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis) were collected during the pre-donation medical interview and after the biological qualification of blood donations at the CRTSO. Serum protein electrophoresis was conducted using the Helena SAS-3/4 automaton through migration on agarose gel. Data analysis was performed using Epi-info version 7.2.1.0.A total of 110 voluntary blood donors participated, with a predominance of men (67.27%). The mean age was 28.11 ± 8.24 years, ranging from 18 to 56 years. Approximately 37.27% were new donors and 22.73% were carriers of hemoglobinopathy. Among the 8 donors with positive serology, 7 were new donors, accounting for 87.5%. Analysis of serum protein fractions revealed that 17.28% of donors had high total protein, 38.18% had high albumin, 50.90% had low α-2 globulins and 5.45% had high γ-globulins. About 25% of blood donors, mainly new donors, exhibited disturbances in serum protein fractions. New donors showed higher total protein and γ-globulins values compared to old donors. These findings suggest that blood donors, especially new donors, may not always be in perfect health. Serum protein fractions, in conjunction with blood donor selection tests, can unveil certain infectious or inflammatory conditions that may have been overlooked during clinical selection. This reinforces transfusion safety and enhances medical care for blood donors.

Key words: Serum protein fractions, blood donation and transfusion, National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC).