Detection of parvovirus B19 in donated blood: a model system for screening by polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

A highly sensitive and rapid method for routinely screening large numbers of donated blood units for parvovirus B19 by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed. Over a 3-month trial period in Edinburgh, B19 DNA was detected in 6 of 20,000 consecutive units of blood (0.03%), in concentrations ranging from 2.4 x 104 to 5 x 1010 copies of viral DNA per ml. Seroconversion for B19-specific immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G and disappearance of circulating B19 DNA occurred in the interval between donation and recall in four of the five implicated donors who could be recalled. B19 DNA was detected in 18 of 27 separate batches of non-heat-treated factor VIII and IX concentrate manufactured from donated plasma unscreened for B19 DNA. Dry-heat treatment at 80°C for 72 h reduced but did not always eliminate detectable B19 from factor VIII concentrates, consistent with recent observations that current methods for virus inactivation during blood product manufacture are insufficient to entirely eliminate B19 infectivity. The methods developed in this study for PCR screening could be applied routinely to prevent transfusion of B19 in blood and blood products and could play an important role in the prevention of iatrogenic transmission of infection. PCR screening could also be used for detection and exclusion of a range of other transmission-associated viruses for which current serological detection methods are only partially effective.

Blood donor screening for parvovirus B19 in Germany and Austria

“…The frequency of B19 viremia in voluntary blood donors has been estimated to range from 1:260 to 1:50,000 and to depend on both the sensitivity of the screening method and the season. [24][25][26] Here we report results from screening blood donors over a period of more than 4 years with a sensitive real-time NAT method. The mean frequency of DNA-positive blood donors was 274 per 100,000 donations, which was within the range previously reported.…”

Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in Blood Donors

“…Recently, McOmish et al Numbers in parentheses represcnt the number of ELISA-positi\e samples in each age group. [30] reported that in screening donated blood units in the Edinburgh area for B19 viremia by the polymerase chain reaction, the incidence over a 3-month trial period among healthy blood donors was approximately 113,300, in concentrations ranging from 2 . 4~1 0~ to 5x10"' copies of HI9 DNA/ml.…”

Human erythrovirus B19 and blood transfusion – an update

“…Inactivation of B19 in IVIG preparations by liquid heat treatment at 60°C for 10 h (used for commercial production of IVIG) was demonstrated (Yunoki et al, 2005). However, dry heat treatment at 60°C for 10 h reduces but does not always inactivate B19 DNA in factor VIII concentrates (McOmish et al, 1993).…”