Assessing the Impact of Haemoparasites on Albumin and IgE Blood Levels in Transfused Blood at the Regional Hospital Bamenda, North West Cameroon

Aims: This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of blood protozoans and their effect on IgE and Albumin levels among blood donors.

Study Design: The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Regional Hospital Bamenda Blood Bank in the Northwest Region of Cameroon from March 2022 to May 2022.

Methodology: We included 337 blood donors (255men, 82 women) with age range of 19-57 years. Venous blood samples were collected and use to screen for malaria, the presence of T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) was determination using Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) and Serum Albumin was measured by spectrophotometry.

Results: The prevalence of malaria, Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM was 13.6% (46/337), 30.9% ( and 4.7% (16/337) respectively, while the prevalence of Malaria and Toxoplasma IgM co-infection was 0.9% (3/337). Prevalence of blood parasites showed no significant difference (p>0.05) with any of the socio-demographic factors. Malaria and toxoplasmosis co-infection prevalence were higher in males (1.3%), in the 31-40 years age group (1.6%), those with secondary level of education (1.3%), and those who were married (2.2%). Malaria-infected participants had significantly higher mean IgE levels (96.8Ul/ml vs 47.9Ul/ml; p=0.0001) and lower Albumin values (3.97g/dl vs 4.20g/dl; p=0.61). As regards Toxoplasma gondii, we observed a significant (p<0.05) higher mean IgE levels (144.3IU/ml vs 50.1 IU/ml) and mean Albumin (3.56g/dl vs 4.22g/dl g/dl) values among those who were infected.

Conclusions: Screening of blood haemoparasites before transfusion is usually neglected in most settings. The findings of this study revealed the presence of malaria and Toxoplasma gondii among blood donors and its impact on Albumin and IgE mean levels. As such it is important to measure both parameters before blood transfusion.