title: Prevalence and Viral Load of Human Parvovirus B19 (B19V) Among Blood Donors in South-East Brazil.
abstract: The infection of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a common event in the general population, including volunteer blood donors. In some cases it can be asymptomatic and can remain persistent for a long period of time. The objective of this study was to examine the B19V DNA prevalence and viral load in first-time volunteer blood donors. Blood samples were collected from 91 primary blood donors at the Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, Southeast Brazil. Viral detection and quantitation was performed by an in-house TaqMan(®) real-time PCR with high sensitivity. B19V DNA was detected in one male blood donor (1.0 %) and was characterized by a very low viral load (537.36 copies/mL). Our studies demonstrate that B19V DNA at low titer may be present in apparently healthy individuals. Sensitive molecular diagnostic tools can be applied for the screening of fresh blood derived products in order to prevent transfusion-transmitted B19V infection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Rua Tenente Catão Roxo 2501, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140 Brazil ; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Svetoslav Nanev
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Slavov
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Rua Tenente Catão Roxo 2501, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140 Brazil ; Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Katia Kaori
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Otaguiri
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Rua Tenente Catão Roxo 2501, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140 Brazil ; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dimas Tadeu
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Covas
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, Regional Blood Center of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Rua Tenente Catão Roxo 2501, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo 14051-140 Brazil ; Department of Clinical, Toxicological and Bromatological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kashima
keywords: B19V; Blood donors; Human parvovirus B19; Viral quantitation