No evidence of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus infection in Brazilian multiply transfused patients with sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia major.
Although xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) has been regarded as a laboratory contaminant, it remains one of the most controversial viruses. The objective of the study was to determine if XMRV is present in 44 patients with beta-thalassemia major, 48 with sickle cell disease, and 89 volunteer blood donors. After RNA/ DNA extraction from plasma/buffy coat the samples were screened for XMRV sequences by conserved nested GAG primers. None of the RNA samples showed a positive result. Surprisingly, four DNA samples obtained from blood donors were positive for XMRV provirus. The subsequent phylogenetic analysis revealed that these sequences are identical to the positive control (murine leukemia retrovirus) and are probably consistent with laboratory contamination. XMRV infection (provirus and viral RNA) was absent in multiply transfused patients and volunteer blood donors. The positive result obtained from some blood donors probably reflects laboratory contamination. We believe that XMRV does not pose risk to blood transfusion.
Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo-USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
Svetoslav Nanev
SN
Slavov
Katia Kaori
KK
Otaguiri
Mayra Dorigan
MD
Macedo
Maurício Cristiano
MC
Rocha-Júnior
Ana Cristina
AC
Silva-Pinto
Simone
S
Kashima
Dimas Tadeu
DT
Covas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000821:virology*; D000818:Animals; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012192:Retroviridae Infections / Q000821:virology*; D058008:Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000821:virology*