Undeclared pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) use among syphilis-positive blood donors, England, 2020 to 2021

Victoria Maddox; Claire Reynolds; Alieu Amara; Laura Else; Susan R Brailsford; Saye Khoo; Heli Harvala

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.11.2300135

Undeclared pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) use among syphilis-positive blood donors, England, 2020 to 2021

Euro Surveill. 2023 Mar;28(11):2300135. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.11.2300135.

Authors

Victoria Maddox¹, Claire Reynolds², Alieu Amara³, Laura Else³, Susan R Brailsford^{1

2

4}, Saye Khoo³, Heli Harvala^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Microbiology Services, NHS Blood and Transplant, London, United Kingdom.
² NHS Blood and Transplant/UK Health Security Agency Epidemiology Unit, NHS Blood and Transplant, London, United Kingdom.
³ Department of Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
⁴ National Infection Service, United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom.
⁵ Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom.

PMID: 36927721
PMCID: PMC10021473
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.11.2300135

Abstract

An individualised blood donor selection policy was implemented in the United Kingdom from summer 2021. We have investigated the impact of this policy by comparing the extent of undeclared use of HIV pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) before and after this change. The rate of PrEP usage in syphilis-positive male blood donors has not changed since individualised donor assessment was implemented but provides continuing evidence of undisclosed PrEP use which may be associated with current or past higher-risk sexual behaviours.

Keywords: HIV; PrEP; blood donor; blood safety; syphilis.

MeSH terms

Blood Donors
England
HIV Infections* / prevention & control
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis*
Syphilis* / epidemiology
Syphilis* / prevention & control