Makroo, R NChowdhry, MohitBhatia, AakankshaArora, BhavnaRosamma, N L2012-03-272012-03-272011-12Makroo R N, Chowdhry Mohit, Bhatia Aakanksha, Arora Bhavna, Rosamma N L. Prevalence of HIV among blood donors in a tertiary care centre of north India. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2011 Dec; 134(6): 950-953.http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/137355Background & objectives: India has the second highest HIV population in the world with about 2.5-3.0 million cases. HIV-2 cases among general and blood donor population have also been reported mostly from west and south India. This single centre study was carried out to observe the HIV-1 and HIV-2 prevalence among blood donors from north India. Methods: A total of 2,04,677 people were screened for the presence of HIV infection over the 11 year period (1999 to 2009). Till 2004, a third generation ELISA kit was used. From 2005 till January 2009 all tests were done using the fourth generation ELISA kit which detected the presence of HIV-1 P24 antigen and anti-HIV antibodies. From February 2009 onwards, the kits used were Genscreen ULTRA HIV Ag- Ab Assay. Results: A total of 506 (0.247%) donors were found to be repeat reactive for HIV. Of these, 486 (96%) donors tested using the Western blot were found positive for HIV-1 infection. Twenty (4%) donors showed a negative Western blot result, none of the donors were found reactive for HIV-2 infection. Interpretation & conclusions: The prevalence of HIV was 0.249 per cent among blood donors of north India. No HIV-2 case was found among the studied blood donor population indicating that it is not a threat currently.enDonor screeningHIV-1HIV-2north IndiaprevalenceAdultBlotting, WesternEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay --methodsFemaleHIV Infections --bloodHIV Infections --epidemiologyHIV-1HIV-2HumansIndia --epidemiologyMaleMiddle AgedSeroepidemiologic StudiesArticle