Seroprevalence of Treponema pallidum Antibodies among Blood Donors in a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria

Background: Treponema pallidum is well-known for its immune-evasiveness and invasiveness, its spirochaete has a long latent period in which individuals present no signs or symptoms and still could be infectious. In spite of the available effective treatment, the development of suitable diagnostic techniques and implementable preventive strategies, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including syphilis, remains major public health problem in Nigeria.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of T. pallidum antibodies among blood donors at the blood bank unit of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Two thousand six hundred and ninety-six blood samples collected from commercial, voluntary and replacement donors were screened for syphilis using the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) particle agglutination test kit. The kits were manufactured by BTNX Inc., Ontario, Canada and onsite Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) test kit by CTK Biotech (USA) was used in confirming the presence of antibodies of T. pallidum. This study was carried out at the blood bank of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar from June 2016 to August 2017.

Results: A total of 2695 unit of blood was screened for T. pallidum antibody during the study period. Sixty-seven (67) units of blood tested positive giving a seroprevalence of 2.50%.

Conclusion: Our report shows a low seroprevalence of syphilis compared to what has obtained from other parts the country notwithstanding. Improved diagnostics, a better test of cure, intensified public health measures and, ultimately, a vaccine is needed to curb the increasing prevalence of STDs, including syphilis.