Status:
Ready to upload
Record number:
1452
Adverse Occurrence type:
MPHO Type:
Time to detection:
2-21 days
Alerting signals, symptoms, evidence of occurrence:
The medical records of persons suspected of having become infected with WNV through the receipt of transfused blood products were reviewed. Pre- and post transfusion clinical samples (CSF, serum and plasma) were tested for WNV RNA and IgM antibody. Twenty-three patients were confirmed to have acquired WNV through transfused leukoreduced and nonleukoreduced red cells, platelets or fresh-frozen plasma.
Demonstration of imputability or root cause:
A confirmed case required both of the following: evidence of WNV viremia in a blood donor, evidence of WNV infection in a recipient of a component from a donor with viremia. Positivity was determined by PCR and/or IgM antibody for WNV.
In the Montgomery study, during 2003 to 2005, a total of 1,425 presumptive viremic donors were reported to CDC from 41 US states. Of 36 investigations of suspected WNV transfusion associated transmission cases in 2003, 6 cases were documented.
Imputability grade:
3 Definite/Certain/Proven
Groups audience:
Keywords:
References:
Suggest new keywords:
West Nile Virus, WNV, PCR, RNA, IgM antibody
Reference attachment:
Suggest references:
Pealer, B.J., Marfin, S.S., Petersen, L.R., Lanciotti, R.S., Page, P.L., Stramer, S.L. Stobierski, M.G., Signs, K. Newman, B., Kapoor, H., Goodman, J.L. and Chamberland, M.E. (2003). Transmission of West Nile Virus through blood transfusion in the United States in 2002. N Engl J Med 349: 1236-45
Expert comments for publication:
Although screening blood donors by PCR RNA techniques reduces the risk of WNV transmission, it does not eliminate the risk. Transplant recipients are often the first to demonstrate transmission due to immunosuppression.