First Epidemiological Assessment: Syphilis Seroprevalence among Asymptomatic Blood Donors in Merowe, Northern Sudan, 2022

Authors

• Doaa Albagir Ahmed, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Abdulatif Alhamed University of Technology, Merowe, Sudan.
• Sabra Alfadil Ibrahim, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Abdulatif Alhamed University of Technology, Merowe, Sudan.
• Hiba Elsadig Salah, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, Abdulatif Alhamed University of Technology, Merowe, Sudan.
• Hamad A. Albagir, National Medical Supplies Fund, Northern State Branch, Dongola, Sudan

Keywords

Syphilis; Treponema pallidum; blood donors; seroprevalence; transfusion-transmissible infections; Sudan; Northern State; ELISA

Document Type

Research Article

Abstract

Syphilis remains a significant transfusion-transmissible infection, yet regional epidemiological data from Northern Sudan are lacking. This study aimed to establish preliminary baseline syphilis seroprevalence among asymptomatic blood donors in Merowe, Northern Sudan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2022 at the Merowe blood donation center. Eighty-nine consecutive asymptomatic male blood donors were screened for anti-Treponema pallidum antibodies using a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit (Fortress Diagnostics, UK). Demographic data were collected via structured questionnaire. The overall seroprevalence was 2.25% (2/89; 95% CI: 0.6–7.9%). The donor population median age was 32 years (range: 18–64). Both reactive donors were referred for confirmatory testing and clinical management. This first syphilis seroprevalence report from Merowe provides preliminary regional data, highlights the importance of continued screening, and underscores the need for larger-scale surveillance in demographically dynamic regions. The findings should be interpreted with caution given the small sample size and single-center design.

Publisher

Saudi Toxicology Society

Recommended Citation

Ahmed, Doaa Albagir; Ibrahim, Sabra Alfadil; Salah, Hiba Elsadig; and Albagir, Hamad A. (2026) "First Epidemiological Assessment: Syphilis Seroprevalence among Asymptomatic Blood Donors in Merowe, Northern Sudan, 2022," Saudi Toxicology Journal: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70957/uqu.edu.sa/s.toxicology.s/stj.2026.1.3.9
Available at: https://stj.researchcommons.org/journal/vol3/iss1/5

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70957/uqu.edu.sa/s.toxicology.s/stj.2026.1.3.9

February 2026