[[[ Background and objectives: ]]] There is conflicting evidence in the literature as to whether there is a blood-borne virus (BBV) risk associated with tattoos in licensed premises. However, blood donors are currently deferred from blood donation in Australia for 4 months after any tattoo. We aimed to assess the incidence of BBVs in blood donors who declared tattoos and evaluate the risk to blood safety through risk modelling. [[[ Materials and methods: ]]] Donors from 2013 to 2016 with a tattoo deferral on their blood donor file with pre- and post-BBV testing were analysed to determine an incidence of BBVs using standard methods. This was compared to a 2014 cohort of whole blood donors with a deferral of 4 months due to travel to a malaria-endemic area. Using the incidence of tattoos and BBV risk, the total residual risk estimate of allowing tattooed donors to return without restriction was calculated. [[[ Results: ]]] The incidence rate of BBVs in blood donors following tattoo deferral was 13·26 (95% CI 2·67-38·75) per 100 000 person-years (all were hepatitis C infections in males compared to 9·26 (95% CI 2·49-23·71) per 100 000 in blood donors following malaria deferral. If other risk factors were accounted for the risk in tattoo donors decreased to 4·4 per 100 000 person-years. The total residual risk calculation if donors with a tattoo were allowed to donate without restriction was estimated at 1 in 34 million. [[[ Conclusions: ]]] This residual risk indicates BBV deferral for donors post-tattoo in Australia is not required for blood safety.
Tattoos, blood-borne viruses and blood donors: a blood donor cohort and risk assessment
[Category] 말라리아,
[Article Type] article
[Source] pubmed
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