Molecular epidemiology of human Herpesviruses types 1-6 and 8 among Greek blood donors.
BACKGROUND
Human Herpesviruses (HHVs) maintain life-long latent persistence in the majority of the adult population including blood donors. The necessity for their study resides in the potential risk of transfusion-associated infection and the subsequent complications in the immunocompromised host. We aimed to assess the prevalence of HHVs types 1-6 and 8 among healthy blood donors of Thessaly prefecture in order to evaluate the frequency distribution of HHVs in Greek population and to ascertain possible correlations with demographic factors.


METHODS
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of HHVs DNA was determined in 401 randomly selected consecutive blood donors of Central Greece. Epidemiological data were recorded through a well structured questionnaire.


RESULTS
The overall PCR positivity for HHVs was 25·4%. HHVs types 1-3 were not detected in any donor sample. A specimen with high level of HHV-6 DNA (1,580,400 copies per mL) was recorded. HHV-4 DNA positivity was significantly associated with rural residency.


CONCLUSIONS
HHV-4 DNA is commonly detected in whole blood specimens of healthy individuals. HHVs types 5, 6 and 8 are rarely detected. However, the existence of a donor sample with high HHV-6 viral load raises questions regarding the potential risk of HHV-6 blood-borne infection and the safety of blood products.
Transfusion Medicine Department, University Hospital of Larisa, Larisa, Greece.
E
E
Rouka
Transfusion Medicine Department, University Hospital of Larisa, Larisa, Greece.
D
D
Kyriakou
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D058731:Blood Safety; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult
D004279:DNA, Viral
blood-borne infections; human herpesviruses; molecular testing