Reduction of Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Through a Leukoreduction Filter / 대한수혈학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Leukoreduction can reduce the risk of HLA alloimmunization, recurrent febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions, and several transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases, including cytomegalovirus infection. Transmission of the new influenza A (H1N1) virus through transfusion may be a concern. We evaluated the effect of filtration with a leukoreduction filter on H1N1 genomes. METHODS: To evaluate the effect of filtration by a leukoreduction filter on H1N1 genomes, we analyzed pre- and post-filtered samples from nasopharyngeal swabs and 10 positive plasma samples using real time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The 10 samples (nasopharyngeal swabs and plasma) contained H1N1 RNA, and filtration with a leukoreduction filter reduced these levels (threshold cycle values from 31.42+/-2.06 to 38.84+/-1.47 in nasopharyngeal swabs, from 35.63+/-2.19 to 39.38+/-2.65 in plasma samples). CONCLUSION: Filtration with a leukoreduction filter can reduce H1N1 genome levels, but may not be completely sufficient for total eradication of this pathogen.