Stability of lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr virus during red blood cell storage.
BACKGROUND
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) establishes and maintains latent infection in B lymphocytes of the healthy adults. Lymphocytes remain viable during red blood cell (RBC) storage. The effect of RBC storage on the stability of EBV-infected B lymphocytes and EBV genome is not known.


METHODS
Eight randomly selected non-leukoreduced AS-5 RBC units were stored for 42 days under standard blood bank refrigerated at 1-6 degrees C. Cell count and EBV genomes in CD19+ B lymphocytes were measured in fresh products and weekly for 6 weeks. Total white blood cells (CD45+), T lymphocyte (CD3+), and B lymphocyte (CD19+) were quantified by a single platform flow cytometric assay. EBV genomes were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction using DNA purified from CD19+ B cells.


RESULTS
Viable white blood cell, T and B lymphocytes followed a biphasic decline curve during RBC storage consisting of a steep steady decline during the first 3 weeks followed by a plateau for the remainder of the storage. At the end of the RBC shelf-life, 19% of the original T and B cells remained viable. EBV genomes per 10(5) CD19+ B lymphocytes remained constant during RBC storage. However, the total EBV genomes in the RBC units decline by more than 80% of their original value at the end of RBC storage due to loss of viable B lymphocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that lymphocytes and EBV latently infected B cells can survive the normal storage conditions for RBC.
Qu
L
L
Institute for Transfusion Medicine, 3636 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. qul@upmc.edu
Triulzi
D J
DJ
Rowe
D T
DT
Griffin
D L
DL
Donnenberg
A D
AD
D018941:Antigens, CD19; D001781:Blood Component Removal / Q000379:methods*; D017252:CD3 Complex; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004356:Drug Storage; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology*; D050296:Microbial Viability; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
D018941:Antigens, CD19; D017252:CD3 Complex; D004279:DNA, Viral; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens