Meta-analysis finds 15.4% pooled TTI prevalence in Cameroonian blood donors, higher risk in family donors

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International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases Published April 2, 2026 Medically reviewed May 26, 2026 Study authors: Yop Kite Michel M, Koloko Brice L, Beack Bayengue Sandrine S, Embolo Enyegue Elisee L, Tandja Alphon… PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ By Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

Key Takeaway

Note high TTI prevalence and elevated risk from family donors in Cameroon based on observational meta-analysis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data from 36 studies and 72 datasets, representing approximately 105,000 blood donations collected primarily from health facilities in Yaoundé (51.4%), Douala (25.7%), and Bamenda (8.6%), Cameroon. The study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of major transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs).

The primary analysis found a pooled TTI proportion of 15.4% (95% CI: 12.7% to 18.2%). The pooled proportion of coinfections was 1.5%, with the most prevalent coinfection being HBV + HCV at 3.4%. The analysis indicated that the risk for HIV and T. pallidum infection was consistently higher in family donors, though specific effect sizes were not reported.

Key limitations include a paucity and underreporting of data from certain regions, diagnostic inconsistencies even within the same assays, and a lack of evidence on determinants, residual risk, and the extent of occult hepatitis B infection. The authors conclude that high-quality studies are needed to inform public health policymakers and assist in developing better blood safety strategies and services in Cameroon.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedApr 2026

PMID41579936

View Original Abstract ↓

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) was designed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of major transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), to address this gap, and to propose solutions to the current identified blood transfusion-related challenges in Cameroon. METHODS: Pooled estimates of TTI-related infection rates, that is, human immunodeficiency virus - HIV, hepatitis B/C viruses - HBV/HCV, and Treponema pallidum, were computed using random effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed, and methodological bias analysis was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools. RESULTS: A total of 36 studies, spanning 72 datasets for ∼105,000 blood donations, were included. Most of them were conducted in family donors attending health facilities of three towns, viz. Yaoundé (51.4%), Douala (25.7%), and Bamenda (8.6%). The pooled proportion of TTIs was 15.4% (95% CI: 12.7-18.2%), and was significantly modulated by several variables (e.g., testing strategy, area). These pathogens could occur as coinfections at a pooled proportion of 1.5%, with HBV + HCV being the most prevalent (3.4%). Across studies, the risk for HIV and T. pallidum infection was consistently higher in family donors. Several challenges, including diagnostic inconsistencies (even within the same assay) and a lack of evidence data on determinants, residual risk, and the extent of occult hepatitis B infection, were identified, primarily due to the paucity and underreporting of data in certain regions. CONCLUSIONS: The review outlines a significant burden of HIV, HBV, HCV, and T. pallidum in blood donors. High-quality studies are needed to fill these gaps to inform public health policymakers and assist the development and implementation of better blood safety strategies and services.