Seroprevalence, molecular epidemiology and quantitation of parvovirus B19 DNA levels in Iranian blood donors

Abstract

Human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection is common among blood donors, and healthy blood donors can transmit virus via transfusion. Due to resistance of B19 to viral inactivation methods, there is a potential concern regarding transfusion safety in blood products. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence, molecular epidemiology, and quantitation of B19 DNA levels in blood donors in Tehran, Iran. A total of 500 blood donors from Blood Transfusion Research Center were studied. ELISA was used for detection of B19 IgG and IgM and nested PCR was carried out for detection of B19 DNA. PCR products were subjected to direct sequencing. B19 viral load was determined by real time PCR. B19 IgG, IgM, and DNA were detected in 27.6, 2.6, and 1.2% of donors respectively. Ten samples (2%) were positive for both antibodies while in four cases (0.8%), B19 IgG and DNA detected simultaneously. One case had B19 IgM, IgG, and viremia concurrently. The titers of B19 DNA in four of six donors were more than 10 IU/mL (high level viremia) and all four cases had IgG simultaneously. All B19 isolates categorized in genotype 1A. Our findings indicated that prevalence of B19 DNA in Iranian blood donors was comparable with previous studies throughout the world. High level B19 viremia found in 0.8% of our donors and all viremic donors revealed neutralizing B19 antibody. Therefore implementation of a B19 screening test for each volunteer blood donor does not appear to be necessary but B19 testing for plasma-derived products seems important in Iranian donors.

Beyond Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus: a Review of Viruses Composing the Blood Virome of Solid Organ Transplant and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

“…No related posttransfusion event was reported in these two studies (216,234). Similar results were reported in an Iranian study that included 500 donors, with B19V detected in plasma samples of 1.2% of individuals, with viral loads of Ͼ1E6 copies/ml, and IgG was concurrently detected in 4/6 (66.7%) cases (212). Finally, a Japanese population-based epidemiological survey of B19V infection in which B19V was screened by real-time PCR in serum samples of 2,081 individuals revealed that 0.2% of subjects were positive (210).…”

“…Nevertheless, B19V DNA can be detectable at lower viral loads in blood samples after IgG development and resolution of symptoms for prolonged periods of time (weeks to years), even in nonimmunocompromised patients. Such prolonged viremia has been described among asymptomatic blood donors with viral loads ranging from Ͻ1E3 copies/ml up to 1E6 copies/ml (212,(218)(219)(220)(221)(222)(223)(224)(225). Some data suggest that this prolonged detection of B19V DNA at low viral loads (mostly Ͻ1E3 copies/ml) might reflect the presence of naked DNA (detected by the use of more sensitive assays) rather than virions and that infections of blood product recipients are currently rare events with the use of current inactivation and other blood safety procedures (221,226).…”

Investigation of Parvovirus B19 Antibodies in Serum Samples with Pre-diagnosis of Arthritis-Arthralgia

“…[23] It is reported that parvovirus B19 IgG seropositivity rates vary between 6% and 82.3% in different regions of the world. [24] Parvovirus B19 prevalence slightly differs in Europe. Higher prevalence is observed in Finland, one of the Scandinavian countries, when compared to other European countries.…”

Human Parvoviruses May Affect the Development and Clinical Course of Meningitis and Meningoencephalitis

“…In the latest literature data, the presence of the B19V DNA among patients with different diseases varies—1.13% in the patients presenting with fever with or without rash, arthropathy, and chronic renal disease, and 5.1% in the patients with respiratory diseases [ 44 , 45 ]. In the research done in Iran, B19V DNA was found in 1.2% of blood donors [ 46 ].…”