Inadvertent Platelet Transfusion from Monkeypox Virus-Infected Donor to Recipient, Thailand, 2023

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hematology

Background:

• Blood transfusion safety is critical for preventing infectious disease transmission.
• The emergence of monkeypox virus (MPXV) necessitates evaluating transfusion-transmitted risks.
• Dengue patients may have altered immune responses, potentially affecting susceptibility to other infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the risk of transfusion-transmitted monkeypox virus (MPXV) from an infected blood donor to a recipient.
• To monitor the recipient for MPXV infection following transfusion of contaminated blood products.

Main Methods:

• A case study involving a blood donor confirmed with MPXV infection and a recipient who received platelet transfusion.
• Serial collection of recipient blood samples for MPXV DNA detection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
• Clinical monitoring of the recipient for MPXV-related symptoms for up to 4 weeks post-transfusion.

Main Results:

• The blood donor was diagnosed with MPXV infection shortly after donation.
• Monkeypox virus DNA was consistently undetectable in all recipient specimens collected up to 2 weeks after transfusion.
• The recipient remained asymptomatic throughout the 4-week monitoring period, showing no clinical signs of MPXV infection.

Conclusions:

• Transfusion of platelet products from a donor with MPXV infection did not result in detectable recipient infection in this case.
• This finding suggests a potentially low risk of transfusion-transmitted MPXV via platelet products, warranting further investigation.
• Continued vigilance and donor screening are essential for blood transfusion safety, especially during emerging infectious disease outbreaks.