Kumar Srinivasan1, Pradip N Akolkar, Rolf E Taffs, Indira K Hewlett. 1. Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Division of Emerging and Transmission Transmitted Diseases, CBER, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland 20852-1448, USA. kumar.srinivasan@fda.hhs.gov
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mass smallpox vaccination with live vaccinia virus has been considered as a preventive measure to counter bioterrorism involving smallpox. This has raised concerns about the possibility of vaccinia virus being transmitted from vaccinated blood donors to recipients. The results of this study could be used to define an appropriate deferral period for blood donors (vaccinated against smallpox) to ensure safety of the blood supply. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A procedure was developed to culture vaccinia virus from plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) of vaccinees enrolled in three smallpox vaccine clinical trials. A total of 665 plasma and PBMNC samples were obtained from 95 vaccinated subjects. RESULTS: Vaccinia viremia was not detected by virus culture from plasma and PBMNC samples of healthy vaccinees 3 to 56 days after vaccination under our assay conditions. Plasma viremia assay had a sensitivity of approximately 66 plaque-forming units per mL with a Vero cell culture assay. CONCLUSION: The results of this study present evidence that in the case of mass vaccination, the risk of transmission of vaccinia virus by blood transfusion would likely be low.
BACKGROUND: Mass smallpox vaccination with live vaccinia virus has been considered as a preventive measure to counter bioterrorism involving smallpox. This has raised concerns about the possibility of vaccinia virus being transmitted from vaccinated blood donors to recipients. The results of this study could be used to define an appropriate deferral period for blood donors (vaccinated against smallpox) to ensure safety of the blood supply. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A procedure was developed to culture vaccinia virus from plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) of vaccinees enrolled in three smallpox vaccine clinical trials. A total of 665 plasma and PBMNC samples were obtained from 95 vaccinated subjects. RESULTS:Vaccinia viremia was not detected by virus culture from plasma and PBMNC samples of healthy vaccinees 3 to 56 days after vaccination under our assay conditions. Plasma viremia assay had a sensitivity of approximately 66 plaque-forming units per mL with a Vero cell culture assay. CONCLUSION: The results of this study present evidence that in the case of mass vaccination, the risk of transmission of vaccinia virus by blood transfusion would likely be low.
Authors: Georg Pauli; Johannes Blümel; Reinhard Burger; Christian Drosten; Albrecht Gröner; Lutz Gürtler; Margarethe Heiden; Martin Hildebrandt; Bernd Jansen; Thomas Montag-Lessing; Ruth Offergeld; Rainer Seitz; Uwe Schlenkrich; Volkmar Schottstedt; Johanna Strobel; Hannelore Willkommen; Carl-Heinz Wirsing von König Journal: Transfus Med Hemother Date: 2010-11-17 Impact factor: 3.747
Authors: Jeffrey I Cohen; Patricia Hohman; Jeanne C Preuss; Li Li; Steven H Fischer; Daniel P Fedorko Journal: Vaccine Date: 2007-04-18 Impact factor: 3.641