Screening of Apheresis Platelet Donors for Human Parvovirus B19 by Gel Card Test / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As apheresis platelet concentrates are widely used recently, the risk of transfusion associated infections is increased. Parvovirus B19 causes transfusion associated infections especially in chronic hemolytic anemia, haemophilia or immunosuppressed patients. We evaluated the significance of Parvovirus B19 antigen test to be one of the apheresis platelet donor screening test. METHODS: Three hundred forty eight serum (or plasma) samples from apheresis platelet donors were tested for Parvovirus B19 antigen test which was based on haemagglutination in gel technology. The tubes arranged in special gel cards (DiaMed) were added with 25 microL P antigen positive red cell and 10 microL patient's serum and then centrifuged at room temperature, 85 g for 10 minutes without incubation. The result was read and scored from 0 to 4 positive. Also the antibody screening test was performed for all of the positive samples on the Parvovirus B19 gel card test to exclude false positive reaction due to red cell alloantibody. We investigated directed recipient's disease state for all of positive donors and compared the result of the Parvovirus B19 antigen test with the routine screening test. RESLUTS Six of the 348 samples were positive for Parvovirus B19 antigen test, the frequency was 1.7%. All of the six positive samples on gel card test reveal negative result by the antibody screening test. All of four directed recipients are immunosuppressed states. If the Parvovirus B19 antigen test was included in routine screening test, the rejection rate is expected to be increased about 1.4%. CONCLUSION: Screening for Parvovirus B 19 in apheresis platelet donors is considered to prevent transfusion mediated viral infection of susceptible recipients including immunocompromised patients.