Open AccessDepletion of Resident Chlamydia pneumoniae through Leukoreduction by Filtration of Blood for Transfusion
Author(s) -
Hideaki Ikejima,
Herman Friedman,
Germán F. Leparc,
Yoshimasa Yamamoto
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of clinical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.349
H-Index - 255
eISSN - 1070-633X
pISSN - 0095-1137
DOI - 10.1128/jcm.43.9.4580-4584.2005
Subject(s) - leukoreduction , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , chlamydia , chlamydophila pneumoniae , chlamydiaceae , bacteria , immunology , blood transfusion , genetics
Current studies indicate that a significant percentage of healthy blood donors carryChlamydia pneumoniae in their blood. Although the clinical significance of such findings is unknown, eradication of such bacteria from blood components may contribute to transfusion safety. Deletion ofC. pneumoniae in Red Blood Cell (RBC) units was accomplished through leukoreduction by filtration. The presence of bacteria in RBC units before and after leukoreduction was assessed by real-time PCR using primers specific forC. pneumoniae 16S rRNA. The eluates of filters used for leukoreduction were also assessed by PCR and immunostaining with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated chlamydial monoclonal antibodies specific forC. pneumoniae determination. Nineteen of 30 RBC units tested showed the presence ofC. pneumoniae DNA. Leukofiltration resulted in a marked reduction of leukocytes as well asC. pneumoniae in terms of bacterial number and positive rate for the bacteria. The eluates of filters showed trapped bacteria determined by both PCR and immunostaining assays. Thus, leukoreduction with a filter is an effective method to significantly reduce residentC. pneumoniae levels in RBC components but may not be completely sufficient for total eradication of this pathogen.