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Reducing the risk of transfusion‐transmitted rickettsial diseaseby WBC filtration, using Orientia tsutsugamushi in a model system
Author(s) -
Mettille F.C.,
Salata K.F.,
Belanger K.J.,
Casleton B.G.,
Kelly D.J.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.2000.40030290.x
Subject(s) - scrub typhus , orientia tsutsugamushi , infectivity , asymptomatic , medicine , virology , infectious dose , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , virus
BACKGROUND: Careful donor screening and infectious disease marker testing have significantly reduced the incidence of transfusion‐transmitted diseases and improved the safety of the blood supply. However, transfusion‐transmitted diseases resulting from the use of asymptomatic yet infectious donors continue to put patients at risk. This study was undertaken to determine if third‐generation WBC filters could remove Orientia tsutsugamushi ‐infected cells from contaminated blood. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Packed RBCs were inoculated with human MNCs infected with O. tsutsugamushi at levels estimated to occur in asymptomatic infectious donors. WBC reduction was accomplished with a third‐generation WBC filter. Prefiltration and postfiltration specimens were collected, serially diluted, and injected into mice to determine the infectivity of the samples. RESULTS: Mice receiving WBC‐reduced packed RBCs showed no signs of illness or markers of infectivity, which suggested that a reduction of as much as 10 5 infectious rickettsiae could be achieved by filtration. CONCLUSION: The high‐efficiency, third‐generation, WBC‐reduction filters that were tested may provide protection against the transfusion transmission of scrub typhus rickettsiae by removing from contaminated blood cells that contain intracellular bacteria.