An investigation of hepatitis A virus infected blood products.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection via the parenteral route is not common. To investigate this further, we obtained the fresh frozen plasma (FFP) component from a unit of whole blood provided by an HAV-infected donor and attempted to quantify and characterize the virus in this material. Despite repeated efforts at culture and cesium banding, HAV was not detected by these methods. However, a hepatitis-A-specific antibody capture assay did demonstrate an occasional HAV-like particle upon electron microscopic analysis of plasma-derived material. We conclude that the quantity of virus present in HAV-contaminated blood or products may be variable and therefore of insufficient numbers as to induce clinically apparent disease in all recipients.
Seal
L A
LA
Department of Pathology, Tripler Army Medical Center, HI 96859-5000.
Lerud
K S
KS
Riel
M A
MA
Hill
R B
RB
Nadala
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000635:transmission; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008889:Military Personnel; D010949:Plasma / Q000382:microbiology*; D014461:Ultracentrifugation