Prevalence of HEV RNA in Croatian blood donors - 25/04/23
Highlights |
• | We evaluated HEV RNA prevalence in Croatian blood donors |
• | From December 2021 until March 2022, we tested 8,631 blood donations in ID-NAT and found four HEV RNA-positive donations (1 in 2,158) |
• | Three donations were in the window period, and one was HEV IgM and IgG positive at the time of donation |
• | Blood donors didn’t report any health problems |
• | The incidence of HEV infection in blood donors in Croatia corresponds to other European data. |
Abstract |
Objectives |
HEV infection is asymptomatic for immunocompetent blood donors (BD). Transfused HEV-infected blood products may cause potentially hazardous HEV infection in immunocompromised patients. Evaluation of the need for routine BD HEV RNA screening primarily demands the establishment of HEV infection prevalence in Croatian BD.
Materials and methods |
We tested BD samples in ID-NAT with the Procleix UltrioPlex E screening test for simultaneous detection of HBV DNA, HCV RNA, HIV-1,2 RNA, and HEV RNA (Grifols, Spain). HEV infection was confirmed with HEV RNA quantitative test (Altona Diagnostics, Germany) and HEV IgM and HEV IgG antibody test (DIA.PRO Diagnostic Bioprobes, Italy). We analysed the HEV RNA sequence and performed a phylogenetic analysis. We recorded BD’s anamnestic data and dietary habits. BDs gave follow-up samples after two months and did not donate blood for six months.
Results |
Between December 2021 and March 2022, we tested 8,631 donations and found four HEV RNA-positive donations, which equals to one in 2,158 donations (0.046 %, 95 % confidence interval, 0.018 %-0.119 %). Confirmatory HEV RNA testing gave results from negative to 4.73E + 3 IU/ml HEV RNA. Three donations were in the serological window period. We have genotyped HEV RNA of two infected BD as genotype HEV-3c. Blood donors didn’t report any health problems and their diet included pork. Testing on follow-up samples presented seroconversion and no HEV RNA could be detected.
Conclusion |
The incidence of HEV RNA infection in BD in Croatia corresponds with other European data. The decision on implementation of HEV NAT screening in Croatia needs an expert team evaluation of the possible risk of TT-HEV infection.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Blood donors, Hepatitis E virus (HEV), NAT testing, Transfusion-transmission, Prevalence
Plan
Vol 30 - N° 2
P. 244-248 - mai 2023 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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