title: Transmission of hepatitis C virus by anti-HCV-negative blood transfusion. Case report.
abstract: Acute posttransfusion hepatitis C was reported in a recipient of 3 units of red cells. The recipient became acutely icteric 6 weeks after transfusion, and HCV infection was diagnosed. Stored serum samples of the 3 implicated donations, which were negative with ELISA-2, were retested by PCR and 3rd-generation antibody tests. One implicated donation was PCR positive, but anti-HCV negative. Both other donations were negative in all tests. The donor was recalled to the Blood Bank 13 weeks after the implicated donation and was found to be ELISA-3 plus RIBA-3 positive. Eight months after the implicated donation, the donor is still PCR and RIBA-3 positive, whereas the recipient became PCR negative but remained anti-HCV RIBA-3 positive. The case shows that blood products from donors collected during the open window period of an HCV infection can transmit HCV to recipients.
authors.affiliation: Red Cross Blood Bank Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vrielink
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: van der Poel
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Reesink
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Zaaijer
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lelie
mesh_terms: D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase