No abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) circulate in several European Union (EU) countries. The risk of transfusion-transmitted West Nile virus (TT-WNV) has been recognized, and preventive blood safety measures have been implemented. We summarized the applied interventions in the EU countries and assessed the safety of the blood supply by compiling data on WNV positivity among blood donors and on reported TT-WNV cases. The paucity of reported TT-WNV infections and the screening results suggest that blood safety interventions are effective. However, limited circulation of WNV in the EU and presumed underrecognition or underreporting of TT-WNV cases contribute to the present situation. Because of cross-reactivity between genetically related flaviviruses in the automated nucleic acid test systems, USUV-positive blood donations are found during routine WNV screening. The clinical relevance of USUV infection in humans and the risk of USUV to blood safety are unknown.

No abstract

BACKGROUND Among labile blood products, platelet concentrates (PCs) are the leading cause of hypersensitivity transfusion reactions (HTRs). These reactions often lead to interruption of PC transfusion and can result in a prolonged transfusion process leading to significant morbidity and use of premedication and close monitoring for patients with a history of allergic transfusion reactions. The French hemovigilance database is one of the largest standardized databases providing information on HTRs following administration of labile blood products. In this study, we analyzed this database to assess the relative risk of HTR for each type of PC. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS HTRs following PC transfusion were retrospectively extracted from the e‐Fit Hemovigilance database of the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM). Frequencies were calculated using the number of specific PCs transfused. RESULTS Between 2008 and 2014, the overall estimated incidence of HTRs following PC administration was calculated at 232 HTRs per 100,000 PCs transfused. The rate of HTRs was significantly higher with apheresis PC (337/100,000) than with buffy‐coat PC (94/100,000). Platelets in additive solutions (PAS) were associated with a significantly lower frequency of HTRs when compared with PCs in native plasma. Amotosalen/UVA‐ PCs (APCs and BCPCs) which are always in PAS in France, exhibited the lowest frequency of HTRs when compared with their corresponding PCs in native plasma or in PAS (p < 10−7 in all comparisons). CONCLUSION Our results showed that the type of PC and its processing may have an impact on the risk of HTR.

No abstract