Is transfusion-transmitted dengue fever a potential public health threat?

Dengue is an arboviruses due to single-stranded enveloped ribonucleic acid viruses, named dengue viruses(DENV), that include four serotypes and are mainly transmitted via the bite of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes(A. aegypti and A. albopictus). The distribution of the disease was historically limited to intertropical areas; however, during the last thirty years, the perimeter of the disease extended considerably and temperate areas are now at risk of outbreaks. The present global burden of dengue is considerable: 2.5 billion people over more than 100 countries are concerned; 50 to 100 million infections occur every year, with a number of fatal cases of approximately 20000. Although frequently asymptomatic or limited to a mild fever, dengue is responsible for severe cases mainly consecutive to the occurrence of hemorrhagic complications that can lead to shock and death, notably in children from poorresource settings. The place of DENV as a transfusiontransmitted pathogen has been recognized only in 2008. At the present time, only five cases of transfusiontransmitted dengue, including one case of dengue hemorrhagic fever, have been formerly documented. This review provides a general overview of dengue, its viruses and their vectors. It replaces the disease in the context of other viral diseases transmitted by arthropods. It discusses the threat of dengue on the supply of blood products in endemic and non endemic areas. Finally, it describes the specific and non specific measures available for improving the security of blood products with regards to this emerging risk. Interestingly, in 2009, the American Association of Blood Banks placed DENV in the highest category of emerging infectious agents for their potential impact on transfusion recipient safety for the next years in North America.

Transfusion transmitted virus infection in general populations and patients with various liver diseases in south China

INTRODUCTIONAlthough several specific detecting methods hadbeen applied to determine the hepatitis virus,therewas a lot of cryptogenic hepatitis without anyknown hepatitis infectious marker.Theprevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) (also knownas GB-C virus) infection has been reported to be 5%-13% in patients with non-A-E hepatitis andcirrhosis,however,there is little evidencesuggesting that HGV causes hepatitis in human.

Evaluation of Pathogen Reduction Systems to Inactivate Dengue and Chikungunya Viruses in Apheresis Platelets Suspended in Plasma

The risk of blood-borne transmission of infectious diseases has led to an increasing awareness of the need for a safe and effective pathogen reduction technology. This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 pathogen reduction systems to inactivate dengue virus (DENV-2) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) spiked into apheresis platelets (APLT) concentrates. Double-dose APLT collections (n = 3) were split evenly into two units and spiked with 107 infectious units of DENV-2 or CHIKV. APLTs samples were assayed for viral infectivity before and after Amotosalen photochemical treatment (PCT) or Riboflavin pathogen reduction treatment (PRT). Viral infectivity was determined by plaque assays. Platelet (PLT) count, pH and residual S-59 were measured during the storage of 5 days. Amotosalen PCT showed robust efficacy and complete inactivation of both viruses in APLTs, with up to 3.01 and 3.75 log reductions of DENV-2 and CHIKV respectively. At similar initial concentrations, Riboflavin PRT showed complete inactivation of CHIKV with up to 3.73 log reduction, much higher efficacy than against DENV-2 where a log reduction of up to 1.58 was observed. All post-treated APLTs maintained acceptable PLT yields and quality parameters. This parallel study of 2 pathogen reduction systems demonstrates their efficacy in inactivating or reducing DENV and CHIKV in APLTs and reaffirms the usefulness of pathogen inactivation systems to ensure the safety in PLTs transfusion.

Risks and challenges of HIV infection transmitted via blood transfusion

Promoting biosafety regulations and techniques supports human health and protects individuals and groups from harmful incidents.Particular attention should be paid to those potential infectious hazards associated with blood and other bodily fluids,especially those highly transmitted infectious diseases,such as human immunodeficiency virus(HIV),one of the largest global health threats.Ensuring innovative and adaptive screening and laboratory techniques to reduce the possibility of HIV transmission are integral to managing the disease.We review here the evolution and success of blood screening techniques for HIV,along with current issues that still need to be addressed.Published academic articles and media reports about nosocomial HIV transmission events since 1981 were reviewed to identify current blood screening and transfusion safety trends across the globe,along with specific recommendations from the Chinese perspective.Although most initial screening was limited only to antibody and antigen testing,newer screening tests(such as nucleic acid testing),coupled with risk-based screening of donors,have led to reduced risk of HIV transmission and continues to reduce the“window period,”when an HIV-positive individual may test negative though they have been infected.Further examination of current guidelines and regulations across the globe are discussed,in order to understand where critical gaps in screening may exist.Through examination of this data,it is evident that huge strides have been made since the beginning of the epidemic;however improved technical training of staff and streamlined testing guidelines could help promote efficient screening of HIV,while also supporting those providing care.