Human Parvovirus B19:& ;Prevalence of Viral DNA in Volunteer Blood Donors and Clinical Outcomes of Transfusion Recipients

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Blood donor units are not screened for human parvovirus B19 (B19) even though it can be acquired via blood products. We estimated the prevalence of B19 in a US volunteer blood donor population and determined the clinical outcomes of transfusion recipients. Materials and Methods: Donor units were screened for B19 DNA by PCR, and positive units analyzed by EIA for B19 Ig. Unit usage was determined and recipient chart review conducted. Results: B19 DNA was detected in 11/9, 568 allogeneic units (0.1%), of which 3 had no measurable B19 Ig. One individual developed anemia consistent with B19 infection after receiving a DNA+ unit lacking B19 Ig. Conclusions: The apparent low incidence of disease in patients transfused with B19 DNA+ components may be due to coexistence of neutralizing antibodies in donors and/or recipients.

Parvovirus B19 infection in human pregnancy

“…;17 Transmission rarely occurs during transfusion with single-donor blood products, but is more common during treatment with blood-concentrates 418-22 Similarly, transmission may also occur through bone marrow or organ transplantation. Tattooing as a source has been suspected,23 as well as transmission in medical research laboratories23-27 though this may not be of relevance to hPV B19 infection in pregnancy in the 21 st century.…”

Clinical aspects of parvovirus B19 infection

“…Although the seroprevalence is high, viraemia or presence of viral DNA is rare in healthy individuals. The frequency of B19 viraemia in voluntary blood donors has been estimated at rates of 1 : 167 to 1 : 35 000 [35, 39–43]. The frequency varies greatly depending on epidemic periods and sensitivity of the methodology used.…”

“…Epidemics are noted at intervals of about 3–4 years, with outbreaks of erythema infectiosum (EI) and B19‐related disease. B19 is normally transmitted through the respiratory route, but can also be transmitted vertically from the mother to the foetus, through BM and organ transplantations, and via transfused blood products [42, 47–51]. As most infections occur in children aged 5–15 years, adults at risk are parents of children in that age group, or those working at day care centres or schools [52–54].…”

Epidemiologic study of human parvovirus B19 infection in East China

“…Since the first discovery of B19V in 1974 [Heegaard and Brown, ], B19V infection has been reported worldwide [McOmish et al, ; Jordan et al, ; Aubin et al, ; Heegaard et al, ; Thomas et al, ]. The presence of B19V antibody ranges from ∼20% in young children to ∼80% in people >60 years [Nunoue et al, ; Anderson et al, ; Cohen and Buckley, ; Lim et al, ; Lin et al, ].…”