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Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐specific T‐cell responses among recombinant immunoblot assay‐3–indeterminate blood donors: a confirmatory evidence of HCV exposure
Author(s) -
Bes Marta,
Esteban Juan Ignacio,
Casamitjatàlia,
Piron Maria,
Quer Josep,
Cubero María,
Puig Lluís,
Guardia Jaime,
Sauleda Sílvia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2009.02103.x
Subject(s) - elispot , hepatitis c virus , indeterminate , virology , medicine , immunology , antigen , recombinant dna , hepatitis c , virus , biology , biochemistry , mathematics , pure mathematics , cd8 , gene
BACKGROUND: Blood donors are routinely screened for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Some show weak anti‐HCV responses, often restricted to a single antigen on confirmatory immunoblot (recombinant immunoblot assay [RIBA]) testing. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which such RIBA‐indeterminate donors had previously been exposed to HCV. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: T‐cell responses to HCV recombinant proteins (core, NS3, and NS3 helicase) were analyzed using an interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay and quantification of cytokines in culture supernatants in 27 RIBA‐indeterminate donors, 60 RIBA‐confirmed donors (48 with and 12 without HCV RNA), and 30 RIBA‐negative donors. RESULTS: HCV‐specific T‐cell responses were identified in 13 (48%) RIBA‐indeterminate donors, 33 (55%) RIBA‐confirmed donors, and 4 (13%) RIBA‐negative controls (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001, respectively). The magnitude of the T‐cell response among indeterminate donors was similar to that of RIBA‐confirmed donors for all HCV antigens and the specificity of the ELISpot results was confirmed by antigen‐specific cytokine production (interleukin‐2 and IFN‐γ) in short‐term culture supernatants. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm that approximately half of RIBA‐indeterminate donors have resolved a previous HCV infection and suggest that ELISpot might be a useful tool to clarify the status of such donors and help in their counseling and management.