Giménez-Richarte Á, Ortiz de Salazar MI, Giménez-Richarte MP, Collado M, Fernández PL, Clavijo C, Navarro L, Arbona C, Marco P, Ramos-Rincon JM. Transfusion-transmitted arboviruses: Update and systematic review.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022;
16:e0010843. [PMID:
36201547 PMCID:
PMC9578600 DOI:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0010843]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
The detection of the first cases of transfusion-transmitted West Nile virus in 2002 posed a new challenge for transfusion safety. Institutions like the World Health Organization have stated that blood transfusion centers need to know the epidemiology of the different emerging infectious agents and their impact on blood transfusion. The aim of the study is to review the published cases of arbovirus transmission through transfusion of blood or blood components and to analyze their main clinical and epidemiological characteristics.
Material and methods
Systematic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus. Pairs of review authors selected a variety of scientific publications reporting cases of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses. Main clinical and epidemiological characteristics were reviewed of the cases described. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO CRD42021270355.
Results
A total of 74 cases of transfusion-transmitted infections were identified from 10 arboviruses: West Nile virus (n = 42), dengue virus (n = 18), Zika virus (n = 3), yellow fever vaccine virus (n = 3), tick-borne encephalitis virus (n = 2), Japanese encephalitis virus (n = 2), Powassan virus (n = 1), St. Louis encephalitis virus (n = 1), Ross River virus (n = 1) and Colorado tick fever virus (n = 1). The blood component most commonly involved was red blood cells (N = 35, 47.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 35.9% to 58.7%). In 54.1% (N = 40; 95% CI: 42.7%-65.47%) of the cases, the recipient was immunosuppressed. Transmission resulted in death in 18.9% (N = 14; 95% CI: 10.0%-27.8%) of the recipients. In addition, 18 additional arboviruses were identified with a potential threat to transfusion safety.
Discussion
In the last 20 years, the number of published cases of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses increased notably, implicating new arboviruses. In addition, a significant number of arboviruses that may pose a threat to transfusion safety were detected. In the coming years, it is expected that transmission of arboviruses will continue to expand globally. It is therefore essential that all responsible agencies prepare for this potential threat to transfusion safety.
The transfusion of blood and blood components entails some risks and potential complications, chief among them the transmission of infectious agents. Organizations like the American Association of Blood Banks have warned of the risks posed by emerging and re-emerging viruses for transfusion safety and have classified transmission of several arboviruses as a high or very high risk to the transfusion of blood and blood components. Following recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), this study aims to enable safe blood transfusion services, by making available the latest updated information of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses and comprehensive knowledge of the current epidemiology of reported cases.
Research revealed case reports of transfusion transmission of 10 arboviruses, with West Nile virus and dengue virus as the most prevalent. Main clinical characteristics of reported cases were collected, including the type of blood component transfused and the state of immunosuppression of the recipient. Research also revealed 18 additional arboviruses with potential risk of transmission through other direct transmission routes. This systematic review provides an updated overview of the clinical characteristics of reported cases of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses. It is the most complete record published to date that assesses the risk posed by arboviruses to blood transfusion.
Collapse