1.
Transfusion-transmitted arboviruses: Update and systematic review
Giménez-Richarte Á, Ortiz de Salazar MI, Giménez-Richarte MP, Collado M, Fernández PL, Clavijo C, Navarro L, Arbona C, Marco P, Ramos-Rincon JM
PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2022;16(10):e0010843
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The detection of the first cases of transfusion-transmitted West Nile virus in 2002 posed a new challenge for transfusion safety. Institutions like the World Health Organization have stated that blood transfusion centers need to know the epidemiology of the different emerging infectious agents and their impact on blood transfusion. The aim of the study is to review the published cases of arbovirus transmission through transfusion of blood or blood components and to analyze their main clinical and epidemiological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS Systematic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus. Pairs of review authors selected a variety of scientific publications reporting cases of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses. Main clinical and epidemiological characteristics were reviewed of the cases described. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO CRD42021270355. RESULTS A total of 74 cases of transfusion-transmitted infections were identified from 10 arboviruses: West Nile virus (n = 42), dengue virus (n = 18), Zika virus (n = 3), yellow fever vaccine virus (n = 3), tick-borne encephalitis virus (n = 2), Japanese encephalitis virus (n = 2), Powassan virus (n = 1), St. Louis encephalitis virus (n = 1), Ross River virus (n = 1) and Colorado tick fever virus (n = 1). The blood component most commonly involved was red blood cells (N = 35, 47.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 35.9% to 58.7%). In 54.1% (N = 40; 95% CI: 42.7%-65.47%) of the cases, the recipient was immunosuppressed. Transmission resulted in death in 18.9% (N = 14; 95% CI: 10.0%-27.8%) of the recipients. In addition, 18 additional arboviruses were identified with a potential threat to transfusion safety. DISCUSSION In the last 20 years, the number of published cases of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses increased notably, implicating new arboviruses. In addition, a significant number of arboviruses that may pose a threat to transfusion safety were detected. In the coming years, it is expected that transmission of arboviruses will continue to expand globally. It is therefore essential that all responsible agencies prepare for this potential threat to transfusion safety.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with suspected transfusion-transmitted infections (29 studies, n= 74).
Intervention
Systematic review of the published cases of arbovirus transmission through the transfusion of blood or blood components.
Comparison
Outcome
A total of 74 cases of transfusion-transmitted infections were identified from 10 arboviruses: West Nile virus (n= 42), dengue virus (n= 18), Zika virus (n= 3), yellow fever vaccine virus (n= 3), tick-borne encephalitis virus (n= 2), Japanese encephalitis virus (n= 2), Powassan virus (n= 1), St. Louis encephalitis virus (n= 1), Ross River virus (n= 1) and Colorado tick fever virus (n= 1). The blood component most commonly involved was red blood cells (n= 35, 47.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.9% to 58.7%). In 54.1% (n= 40; 95% CI: 42.7%-65.47%) of the cases, the recipient was immunosuppressed. Transmission resulted in death in 18.9% (n= 14; 95% CI: 10.0%-27.8%) of the recipients. In addition, 18 additional arboviruses were identified with a potential threat to transfusion safety.
2.
Seroprevalence of Dengue and Zika Virus in Blood Donations: A Systematic Review
Eick SM, Dale AP, McKay B, Lawrence C, Ebell MH, Cordero JF, Welton M
Transfusion medicine reviews. 2018;33((1):):35-42.
Abstract
The presence of antibodies to Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) can be detected in blood donations. Donation-based surveillance provides an alternative strategy to estimate population prevalence by detecting antibodies that are circulating. To estimate population prevalence, we conducted a systematic review of literature on the seroprevalence of ZIKV and DENV antibodies in blood donations. We searched PubMed and Web of Science for studies that reported the seroprevalence of ZIKV and DENV in blood donations. The title and abstract of each study were screened by 2 reviewers simultaneously for possible inclusion, and the full text of selected studies was reviewed to ensure that they met inclusion criteria (used primary data collection, reported evidence of immunoglobulin M (IgM) or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the blood supply, and included a representative sample of the total population). Immunoglobin test measuring levels of antibodies to IgM and IgG and number of positive cases were extracted from each study. No exclusions were made based on language or country. Our initial search identified 1890 studies after excluding duplicates, of which 76 were assessed for full text eligibility to ensure that they met our final inclusion criteria. There were 14 studies included in our review; 11 examined the seroprevalence of DENV, and 3 examined ZIKV. The highest seroprevalence by IgM was 2.82% for DENV and 0.53% for ZIKV. Our results indicate that the seroprevalence of ZIKV and DENV antibody presence in countries with active transmission is higher than reports by traditional surveillance in some countries. This finding is expected due to the large percentage of asymptomatic cases. The highest seroprevalence was observed for IgG, which can persist over long periods of time compared to IgM. Screening of blood donations may help supplement traditional surveillance measures, especially during outbreak settings.
3.
Global status of visceral leishmanial infection among blood donors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Asfaram S, Fakhar M, Soosaraei M, Hosseini Teshnizi S, Mardani A, Banimostafavi ES, Ziaei Hezarjaribi H
Transfusion and Apheresis Science : Official Journal of the World Apheresis Association : Official Journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis. 2017;56((5):):748-754
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transmission of Leishmania through transfusion has been reported from various Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) endemic areas of the world. The true burden of Leishmania infection in blood donors remains generally unknown. Thus, the present systematic review attempted to determine the global prevalence of Leishmania infection among blood donors. METHODS Data were extracted through five English and five Persian databases during the period from 1997 to 2016. Overall, 16 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used for data extraction in this systematic review. RESULTS In total, 13,743 blood donors from different regions of world were examined. The prevalence rate of Leishmania infection according to seropositivity obtained 7% (95%CI: 5%, 8%). The lowest and the highest prevalence were related to Bangladesh 0.25% (95%CI: 0.0%, 1.0%) and Brazil, 16% (95%CI: 12%, 19%). Seroprevalence rate of leishmaniasis among females was more (4.60%) than males. Of 15 studies included in the meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence rate of molecular tests was obtained 2% (95%CI: 1%, 3%) in which Iran and Spain had the lowest and the highest prevalence, 0.05% and 7%, respectively. Our analysis showed that L. infantum was more common than L. donovani as etiological agent of VL among all donors. CONCLUSION Our data confirms the presence of asymptomatic carriers of VL in endemic areas and supplies as an attentive to the likelihood of these carriers acting as blood donors. Moreover, we conclude that molecular tests for screening in asymptomatic blood donor provide an accurate estimate of the rate of infection over serological tests.
4.
The contribution of unsafe blood transfusion to human immunodeficiency virus incidence in sub-Saharan Africa: reexamination of the 5% to 10% convention
Morar MM, Pitman JP, McFarland W, Bloch EM
Transfusion.. 2016;56((12)):3121-3132.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historical estimates have attributed 5% to 10% of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to unsafe blood transfusions. Although frequently cited, the validity of this statistic is uncertain or outdated. Recent estimates suggest blood transfusion's contribution to new HIV infections in the region may be much lower. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We searched the peer-reviewed and gray literature for quantitative estimates of the specific contribution of unsafe blood transfusion to the proportion of new HIV infections occurring in SSA. The sources and methods used to generate attribution estimates were evaluated against published country-specific HIV prevalence data. RESULTS Despite multiple secondary citations, a primary published source attributing 5% to 10% of new HIV infections to blood transfusions in SSA could not be established for the current era. The United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) modes of transmission (MOT) reports representing 15 countries suggest that between 0 and 1.1% of new HIV infections per year (median, 0.2% or approx. two out of 1000 new infections each year) may be attributable to blood transfusions. CONCLUSION Recent modeled estimates suggest that blood transfusions account for a very low proportion of new HIV infections in SSA, likely an order of magnitude lower than 5% to 10%. Direct quantification of risk is challenging given the paucity of data on the variables that impact transfusion-associated HIV. Specifically, data on HIV incidence in blood donors, blood bank laboratory test performance, and posttransfusion surveillance are lacking. Findings suggest an urgent need for improved surveillance and modeling of transfusion-associated HIV transmission in the region. Copyright © 2016 AABB.