Study objectives: The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the use of viral genome diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in blood donors in the regional blood transfusion center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Methodology: This prospective study was carried out from August to December 2009 at the regional blood transfusion center in Ouagadougou (RBTC-O). Detection of HIV-1 was performed by RT-PCR on pooled plasma and individual samples from blood donors. Samples were selected based on reactivity with fourth generation ELISA.

Results: ELISA assays on 20 plasma pools demonstrated 10 negative samples, 8 positive and 2 undeterminable. All positive and negative ELISA tests were confirmed by RT-PCR. Findings of RT-PCR on individual samples confirmed those obtained on pooled plasma samples. For the two undeterminable pools, RT-PCR identified one as negative and the other as positive. Individual RT-PCR testing of donations contained in positive and negative pooled plasma samples confirmed negative or positive findings.

Conclusions: Because of the high cost of RT-PCR, we recommend use first on minipools or individual samples from blood donors with questionable HIV-1 status to confirm status quickly and minimize loss of blood bags.

HIV-1, RT-PCR, blood donors, Burkina Faso, molecular diagnosis, transfusion safety