PAN AFRICAN JOURNAL OF LIFE SCIENCES
e-ISSN: 2672-5924
Volume 10, No. 1, April 2026
Pages 660-667
DOI: 10.36108/pajols/6202/01.0140
Prevalence of Parvovirus B19 IgG and IgM Antibodies and DNA among Blood Donors in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Abiodun Iyanda1,2*, Oluyinka O. Opaleye2
1Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
Abstract
Background: Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a significant transfusion-transmitted infection, particularly in vul-nerable recipients. Despite its importance, B19V screening is not mandatory in Nigeria. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to Parvovirus B19 among Nigerian blood donors, highlighting the need for routine screening.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 blood donors from hospital settings between May 2016 and August 2019 in Ibadan, Nigeria. Serum samples were tested for IgG and IgM antibodies to Par-vovirus B19 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). DNA was extracted from parvovirus B19 IgM samples, and PCR was performed on the extracted DNA. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS.
Results: The seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to Parvovirus B19 was 15.5% and 7%, respec-tively. The result showed a slightly higher seropositivity rates for Parvovirus B19 IgG and IgM in female blood donors (20% and 7.5%, respectively) than in males (14.38% and 6.87%, respectively). DNA was detected in 4 of 14 samples (28.57%) that were positive for IgM. This indicates 2% of the 200 blood donors who participat-ed in the study. Although not statistically significant (P˃ 0.05), these findings suggest a substantial risk of Par-vovirus B19 transmission through blood transfusion in Nigeria.
Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of implementing routine Parvovirus B19 screening in Nigerian blood donors to enhance blood safety. Policy interventions and guidelines for B19V screening are urgently needed to protect vulnerable recipients, including pregnant women, patients with hemoglobinopathies, and immunocompromised individuals.
Keywords: Parvovirus B19, blood donors, seroprevalence, blood safety, Nigeria.