title: Duration of Ross River viraemia in a mouse model--implications for transfusion transmission.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is little data on the duration of viraemia following infection with Ross River virus (RRV), the most common cause of arbovirus disease in Australia. In particular, no accurate estimate exists for the duration of pre-symptomatic RRV infection, which is important in assessing the potential for transfusion transmission.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used an established mouse model of RRV infection involving adult Swiss outbred mice to measure viraemia following infection. Applying our experimental data to a published probabilistic model for estimating the risk of dengue transmission by transfused blood, we derived comparable risk estimates for RRV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ross River virus RNA was measured using highly sensitive real-time PCR in serum samples to determine the duration of asymptomatic viraemia, which typically lasted 5 days, but extended to 9 days in some mice. Assuming the potential for transfusion transmission is proven, the risk of RRV transmission by blood during a 2004 outbreak in Cairns, Australia was retrospectively estimated as 1 in 13,542 (range from 1 in 4765 to 47,563).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides updated epidemiological data useful to underpin modelling to assess the potential risk of transfusion-transmitted RRV. Using an established model for dengue, the risk estimate for RRV transmission is comparable in the same geographical region. Should transfusion be proven as a route of transmission, this supports consideration of appropriate mitigation strategies to safeguard blood recipients.
authors.affiliation: Virus and Inflammation Research Group, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Seed
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gahan
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Rolph
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahalingam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003715:Dengue / Q000635:transmission; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D012307:Risk Factors; D012398:Ross River virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013997:Time Factors; D014766:Viremia / Q000635:transmission*