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Post-transfusion Hepatitis C Virus Infection and the Hidden Burden of Warm Blood Transfusion in a Resource-Limited Setting: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study from Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Article scientifique 2026 Anglais

Résumé

Background Blood transfusion remains a cornerstone of clinical care but continues to pose risks when biosafety standards are not rigorously applied. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), more than 90% of transfusions are delivered as warm transfusions, in which blood is released before full infectious marker screening is completed. This study aimed to quantify the additional risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission associated with this practice in Mbujimayi. Methods We conducted a prospective analytical cross-sectional study in four high transfusion-volume hospitals of Mbujimayi. A total of 223 previously transfused individuals (≥ 2 months post-transfusion) were enrolled and stratified into exposed (warm transfusion) and unexposed (cold transfusion) groups. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected using an HCV Scan rapid immunochromatographic assay performed on serum. Crude (cOR) and adjusted (aOR) odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression in IBM SPSS Statistics version 27, p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The post-transfusion HCV seroprevalence was 4.9% (11/223). After adjustment, two factors remained independently associated with HCV seropositivity: receiving more than one transfusion (aOR = 5.41; 95% CI: 1.22–24.02; p = 0.027) and unemployment (aOR = 4.66; 95% CI: 1.18–18.41; p = 0.028). Among those exposed to warm transfusion, repeated transfusions increased the likelihood of HCV infection tenfold (aOR = 10.03; 95% CI: 3.85–26.16; p < 0.001). Conclusion Warm transfusion, the prevailing modality in the DRC, constitutes a significant additional route of HCV transmission. Strengthening voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, ensuring uninterrupted screening for transfusion-transmitted infections, and enforcing systematic use of pre-tested blood units are critical strategies to reduce this preventable burden.

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Ntambwe, G., Baloji, D., Muepu, V., Kidinda, W., Kazadi, B., Tshibinkufua, J., TAGUE, C., Nyembo, B., Nzaji, M., Kabamba, A., Mulenga-Cilundika, P., Mjumbe, C., Mpanya, A., Lutumba, P. (2026). Post-transfusion Hepatitis C Virus Infection and the Hidden Burden of Warm Blood Transfusion in a Resource-Limited Setting: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study from Mbujimayi, Democratic Republic of Congo. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.183575.1

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Auteur(s)

Georges Ntambwe Désiré Baloji Venance Muepu William Kidinda Benoît Kazadi Jean Robert Tshibinkufua Christian TAGUE Bertin Mukuna Nyembo Michel Kabamba Nzaji André Mutombo Kabamba Philippe Mulenga-Cilundika Criss Koba Mjumbe Alain Mpanya Pascal Lutumba

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