Transfusion-Transmissible Infections: A Comprehensive Review of Prevalence, Diagnostic Technologies, and Barriers to Blood Safety
Abstract
Blood transfusion is a life-saving therapeutic intervention, yet the transmission of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) such as HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and syphilis remain a formidable global public health challenge. While high-income nations have achieved near-zero residual risks through advanced donor screening and surveillance, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—particularly in sub-Saharan Africcontinue to bear a disproportionate burden of TTIs. This review synthesizes global scholarly literature to evaluate the epidemiology, transmission mechanisms, diagnostic technologies, and systemic barriers influencing blood safety.
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