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Multiplexed Isothermal Amplification Based Diagnostic Platform to Detect Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue 1
Published on: March 13, 2018
Low Prevalence of Zika Virus RNA Among Thai Blood Donors
Sineenart Oota1, Duangnapa Intharasongkroh1, Wilaiwan Saekram1
1National Blood Center, Bangkok, Thailand.
Background:
Zika virus (ZIKV) is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which thrive in tropical regions. However, reports indicate that asymptomatic carriers can inadvertently transmit ZIKV through blood and blood components.
Methods:
To evaluate the risk of ZIKV transmission via blood donation, we investigated the prevalence of ZIKV RNA among healthy Thai blood donors over two consecutive rainy seasons. From January 2020 to September 2021, a total of 64,705 blood donations from 56,145 individual donors were screened for ZIKV RNA at Thailand's National and Regional Blood Centers. Testing was performed using the cobas Zika test, with initially reactive samples subjected to further confirmation via in-house real-time RT-PCR. Donors with confirmed positive results were recalled for follow-up testing. The complete coding genome was sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically to determine the ZIKV strain lineage.
Results:
ZIKV RNA was detected in four confirmed-reactive blood donations, equating to a prevalence of 0.006% (95% CI: 0.0000, 0.0002) or approximately 1 in 16,176 donations. These cases originated from four individual donors who were asymptomatic at the time of donation but subsequently developed mild symptoms, which were resolved within a week. Genetic analysis revealed that the identified ZIKV strains belonged to the Asian lineage.
Conclusions:
The very low prevalence of ZIKV RNA in blood donations from healthy Thai donors over the 20-month study period suggests that routine ZIKV nucleic acid screening for blood donations is not currently warranted.
Insights
Zika virus RNA was rarely detected in Thai blood donors, suggesting routine screening is not currently necessary. This study assessed Zika virus (ZIKV) RNA prevalence in blood donations to evaluate transmission risks.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes in tropical areas.
- Asymptomatic carriers pose a risk for ZIKV transmission through blood and blood components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the risk of ZIKV transmission via blood donation in Thailand.
- To determine the prevalence of ZIKV RNA among healthy Thai blood donors.
Main Methods:
- Screened 64,705 blood donations from 56,145 donors for ZIKV RNA from January 2020 to September 2021.
- Utilized cobas Zika test and confirmed reactive samples with in-house real-time RT-PCR.
- Sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed confirmed ZIKV strains.
Main Results:
- ZIKV RNA was detected in 0.006% of donations (1 in 16,176).
- Four asymptomatic donors tested positive; they later developed mild, resolved symptoms.
- Phylogenetic analysis identified the ZIKV strains as belonging to the Asian lineage.
Conclusions:
- The low prevalence of ZIKV RNA in Thai blood donations suggests routine screening is not currently warranted.
- Findings contribute to understanding ZIKV epidemiology and blood safety in Southeast Asia.
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