Hans L Zaaijer1, Ed Slot1, Michel Molier1, Chantal B E M Reusken2,3, Marco H G M Koppelman4. 1. Laboratory of Blood-Borne Infections, Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 2. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 4. National Screening Laboratory, Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The screening of Dutch blood donations for West Nile virus (WNV) may be imminent, as WNV emerges in nearby countries and more donors travel to WNV-affected regions. Since 2016 the related, mosquito-borne Usutu virus (USUV) causes seasonal mortality in Dutch birds. To what extent will human USUV infections affect Dutch WNV donor screening? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: From April through September 2018, plasma samples from blood donations in blackbird-rich regions were stored. When increased bird mortality was reported in August, samples from July, August, and September were tested for USUV-RNA in pools of eight, using a home-brew combined WNV/USUV-PCR assay. Reactive pools were deconstructed. Original plasma units and samples of previous and follow-up donations of reactive donors were tested for USUV- and WNV-RNA, and for antibody responses. RESULTS: The number of USUV RNA-positive, WNV RNA-negative donations was 0 of 2688 donations in July, 6 of 4416 in August (1:736), and 1 of 4936 in September. The seven infected donors tested negative for USUV-RNA in preceding and follow-up donations. For 6 donors, seroconversion for USUV-antibodies was demonstrated. All index donations tested positive in a commonly used PCR-assay for WNV donor screening. Three exposed recipients did not show signs of infection. Screening a random subset of 1092 donations from September for USUV-IgG antibodies showed that 22 donors tested reactive; for three donors retrospective testing identified an USUV PCR-positive pre-seroconversion donation. CONCLUSION: Seasonal USUV infection in Dutch blood donors is common. Cross-reactivity in molecular assays for WNV-screening occurs, but can be resolved using USUV- and WNV-specific PCR-primers and sequencing of viral RNA.
BACKGROUND: The screening of Dutch blood donations for West Nile virus (WNV) may be imminent, as WNV emerges in nearby countries and more donors travel to WNV-affected regions. Since 2016 the related, mosquito-borne Usutu virus (USUV) causes seasonal mortality in Dutch birds. To what extent will humanUSUV infections affect Dutch WNVdonor screening? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: From April through September 2018, plasma samples from blood donations in blackbird-rich regions were stored. When increased bird mortality was reported in August, samples from July, August, and September were tested for USUV-RNA in pools of eight, using a home-brew combined WNV/USUV-PCR assay. Reactive pools were deconstructed. Original plasma units and samples of previous and follow-up donations of reactive donors were tested for USUV- and WNV-RNA, and for antibody responses. RESULTS: The number of USUV RNA-positive, WNV RNA-negative donations was 0 of 2688 donations in July, 6 of 4416 in August (1:736), and 1 of 4936 in September. The seven infected donors tested negative for USUV-RNA in preceding and follow-up donations. For 6 donors, seroconversion for USUV-antibodies was demonstrated. All index donations tested positive in a commonly used PCR-assay for WNVdonor screening. Three exposed recipients did not show signs of infection. Screening a random subset of 1092 donations from September for USUV-IgG antibodies showed that 22 donors tested reactive; for three donors retrospective testing identified an USUV PCR-positive pre-seroconversion donation. CONCLUSION:Seasonal USUV infection in Dutch blood donors is common. Cross-reactivity in molecular assays for WNV-screening occurs, but can be resolved using USUV- and WNV-specific PCR-primers and sequencing of viral RNA.
Authors: Mircea Coroian; Andrei Daniel Mihalca; Gerhard Dobler; Kathrin Euringer; Philipp Girl; Silvia-Diana Borșan; Zsuzsa Kalmár; Violeta Tincuța Briciu; Mirela Flonta; Adriana Topan; Amanda Lelia Rădulescu; Andrei Ungur; Mihaela Sorina Lupșe Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-04 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: B Bas Oude Munnink; E Münger; C B E M Reusken; M Koopmans; D F Nieuwenhuijse; R Kohl; A van der Linden; C M E Schapendonk; H van der Jeugd; M Kik; J M Rijks Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-02-18 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: L Kaiser; D L Vu; M C Zanella; S Cordey; F Laubscher; M Docquier; G Vieille; C Van Delden; V Braunersreuther; Mc Kee Ta; J A Lobrinus; S Masouridi-Levrat; Y Chalandon Journal: Microbiome Date: 2021-01-24 Impact factor: 14.650
Authors: Marion Clé; Orianne Constant; Jonathan Barthelemy; Caroline Desmetz; Marie France Martin; Lina Lapeyre; Daniel Cadar; Giovanni Savini; Liana Teodori; Federica Monaco; Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit; Juan-Carlos Saiz; Gaëlle Gonzales; Sylvie Lecollinet; Cécile Beck; Fabien Gosselet; Philippe Van de Perre; Vincent Foulongne; Sara Salinas; Yannick Simonin Journal: J Neuroinflammation Date: 2021-01-06 Impact factor: 8.322
Authors: Giuseppe Giglia; Gianfilippo Agliani; Bas B Oude Munnink; Reina S Sikkema; Maria Teresa Mandara; Elvio Lepri; Marja Kik; Jooske Ijzer; Jolianne M Rijks; Christine Fast; Marion P G Koopmans; Monique H Verheije; Andrea Gröne; Chantal B E M Reusken; Judith M A van den Brand Journal: Viruses Date: 2021-07-28 Impact factor: 5.048