Transfusion-Transmitted Cytomegalovirus Infection (TT-CMV): A Pilot Study on Safety of Whole-Blood Derivatives

Background: Transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus infection (TT-CMV) is known to cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients particularly among allograft recipients and infants born with birth weights less than 1.5 kg. Objectives: This is the first report in Iran showing the prevalence of CMV-DNA in whole blood/red cell components to evaluate safety for patients. Patients and Methods: 153 units of whole blood or red cell components [CPDA1 RBC (n = 88), washed RBC (n = 50), whole blood CPDA1 (n = 1), whole blood low volume (n = 1) and leukocytes reduced (n = 13)] were selected for the presence of CMV-DNA from two different hospitals in Gorgan. Detection of CMV-DNA in plasma was performed by nested polymerase chain reaction (Nested PCR) using specific primers selected from highly conserved regions of major capsid protein (MCP) gene of human cytomegalovirus. In addition, CMV-IgM antibody of plasma was analyzed by serological methods. Data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 18). Results: Totally, 2 of 153 (1.3%) whole blood or red cell components had positive results for CMV infection. Both viremia and anti-IgM CMV positivity were 0.65% (1/153), respectively. CMV-DNA was detected in 2/88 CPDA1 RBC, but not in other products. Conclusions: Unscreened whole-blood derivatives can act as a vehicle for transmission of CMV infection, thus, screening for cytomegalovirus infection should be performed at least for special groups of patients.