Detection of cytomegalovirus in asymptomatic blood donors

Abstract

Background: The transmission of cytomegalovirus (TT-CMV) is a latent risk in blood transfusions despite preventive measures such as the use of leucoridated hemocomponents, however, CMV transmission is not completely excluded. Aim: To determine the seroprevalence of IgG-CMV and the relationship between seropositivity and the presence of CMV-DNA as a synonym for active infection. Methods: A transversal seroepidemiological study was carried out on 2953 donor samples by measuring the anti-IgG-CMV (ELISA DiaMEDIC), the results were classified into positive, indeterminate and negative, then the n of each group was calculated and the real-time pPCR (ROCHE) test was performed on a total of 466 samples according to the manufacturer's specifications. Results: A seroprevalence of anti-IgG-CMV determined at 97,7% and 1,7% (n: 8) of samples were positive for DNA- CMV of which six serologically classified as positive and two unspecified. Discussion: There is a high seroprevalence of CMV in asymptomatic blood donors, but without correlation between the serological and molecular results, this is probably due to the latent state of the virus and a low amount of plasma DNA; however, there were 8 donors who were positive for DNA-CMV with the probability of being an active infection or reinfection.