F Davidson1, C Lycett, J Petrik, J K Fazakerley. 1. Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Transfusion Transmitted Infection Group, Edinburgh, UK. fiona.davidson@snbts.csa.scot.nhs.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Borna disease virus (BDV) can infect a wide range of vertebrate species causing neurological disease. In order to ensure the safety of blood supplies, it is essential to monitor blood for emerging pathogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred individual white cell pellets and pools representing 25 000 plasma donations from human blood were screened for BDV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: BDV RNA was not detected in any of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that BDV is not widely spread in the UK human population and does not represent a risk as a transfusion-transmitted agent.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Borna disease virus (BDV) can infect a wide range of vertebrate species causing neurological disease. In order to ensure the safety of blood supplies, it is essential to monitor blood for emerging pathogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred individual white cell pellets and pools representing 25 000 plasma donations from human blood were screened for BDV by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS:BDV RNA was not detected in any of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that BDV is not widely spread in the UK human population and does not represent a risk as a transfusion-transmitted agent.