Metagenomics analysis of red blood cell and fresh-frozen plasma units
Pierre Lau1,2, Samuel Cordey3, Francisco Brito4
1Department of Medical Specialties, Division of Infectious Diseases and Division of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva.
Background:
Although the risk of transmitting infectious agents by blood transfusion is dramatically reduced after donor selection, leukoreduction, and laboratory testing, some could still be present in donor's blood. A description of metagenomes in blood products eligible for transfusion represents relevant information to evaluate the risk of pathogen transmission by transfusion.
Study Design And Methods:
Detection of viruses, bacteria, and fungi genomes was made by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of 600 manufactured blood products eligible for transfusion: 300 red blood cell (RBC) and 300 fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) units.
Results:
Anelloviruses and human pegivirus, frequent in the blood of healthy individuals, were found. Human papillomavirus type 27 and Merkel cell polyomavirus, present on the skin, were also detected. Unexpectedly, astrovirus MLB2 was identified and characterized in a FFP unit. The presence of astrovirus MLB2 was confirmed in donor's blood and corresponded to an asymptomatic acute viremia. Sequences of bacteria and fungi were also detected; they are likely the result of environmental contamination.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that HTS is a promising tool for detecting common and less frequent infectious pathogens in blood products.
Insights
High-throughput sequencing (HTS) detected various pathogens, including unexpected astrovirus MLB2, in blood products. This technology aids in evaluating transfusion-transmitted infection risks.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Infectious Disease Diagnostics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Despite reduced risks, infectious agents can persist in donor blood.
- Assessing blood product metagenomes is crucial for transfusion safety.
- Current screening methods may not detect all potential pathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the metagenome of blood products eligible for transfusion.
- To evaluate the utility of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) for pathogen detection in blood products.
- To identify known and novel infectious agents in red blood cell (RBC) and fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) units.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput sequencing (HTS) was employed to analyze the genomes of 600 blood products (300 RBC, 300 FFP).
- Metagenomic analysis was performed to detect viral, bacterial, and fungal DNA/RNA.
- Detected sequences were compared against reference databases for identification.
Main Results:
- Anelloviruses and human pegivirus were frequently detected, consistent with previous findings in healthy individuals.
- Skin-associated viruses (human papillomavirus type 27, Merkel cell polyomavirus) were identified.
- A novel astrovirus MLB2 was unexpectedly discovered and characterized in a fresh-frozen plasma unit, linked to asymptomatic viremia in the donor.
- Bacterial and fungal sequences were also detected, likely due to environmental contamination.
Conclusions:
- High-throughput sequencing (HTS) is a powerful tool for detecting a wide range of infectious pathogens in blood products.
- This approach can identify both common and rare infectious agents, enhancing transfusion safety.
- Further research is warranted to understand the clinical significance of detected non-pathogenic and potentially pathogenic microorganisms.
