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qPCR Is a Sensitive and Rapid Method for Detection of Cytomegaloviral DNA in Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded Biopsy Tissue
Published on: July 10, 2014
[Cytomegalovirus diagnosis in blood donors and risk patients]
W Sibrowski1, P Kühnl, G Kalmar
1Abt. für Transfusionsmedizin u. Transplantationsimmunologie, Univ.-Klinik Hamburg.
Insights
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG testing in blood donors is crucial. This helps identify CMV-negative blood, reducing transfusion-transmitted CMV risks in immunocompromised patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Transfusion Medicine
- Virology
Context:
- Transfusion therapy carries a risk of transmitting Cytomegalovirus (CMV), particularly to immunocompromised individuals.
- CMV infection can lead to serious complications in vulnerable patient groups.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG and IgM antibodies in blood donors and high-risk patient populations.
- To assess the utility of CMV antibody testing in blood donation screening.
Summary:
- CMV IgG antibody prevalence was 63.7% in blood donors, 76.9% in organ donors, 83.0% in hemodialysis patients, and 57.7% in drug abusers.
- CMV IgM antibodies were found at lower rates: 0.98% in blood donors, 0% in organ donors, 17.0% in hemodialysis patients, and 1.3% in drug abusers.
- The high prevalence of CMV IgG in donors suggests routine screening is beneficial.
Impact:
- Implementing routine CMV IgG testing for all blood donations can help establish a larger supply of CMV-negative blood products.
- This strategy can significantly mitigate the risk of transfusion-transmitted CMV infections in at-risk patient populations.
- Enhanced blood safety through targeted donor screening improves outcomes for immunocompromised recipients.
Abstract:
The transfusion transmitted CMV is a possibly dangerous complication of transfusion therapy in immunodeficient patients. We therefore investigated blood donors and patients at increased risk of CMV-infection for CMV-IgG-and-IgM-antibodies. The following CMV IgG and CMV IgM prevalence rates were observed: blood donors 63.7% (0.98%), organ donors 76.9% (0%), patients on hemodialysis 83.0% (17.0%) and drug abusers 57.7% (1.3%). We conclude from our results that CMV IgG testing is useful at every blood donation to provide a large pool of CMV negative blood donors.
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