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Estimating the transfusion transmission risk of Q fever
Author(s) -
Oei Welling,
Kretzschmar Mirjam E.E.,
Zaaijer Hans L.,
Coutinho Roel,
Poel Cees L.,
Janssen Mart P.
Publication year - 2014
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/trf.12539
Subject(s) - outbreak , medicine , confidence interval , incidence (geometry) , donation , transmission (telecommunications) , blood donor , deferral , demography , immunology , virology , mathematics , computer science , business , economics , economic growth , telecommunications , sociology , geometry , accounting
Background The Q fever outbreaks in the N etherlands in 2007 to 2009 initiated discussion on the necessity of measures to prevent transmission through blood products. Risk assessments help transfusion regulators decide when and where measures are required. This study assesses the transfusion transmission ( TT ) risk of Q fever using the E uropean U p‐ F ront R isk A ssessment T ool ( EUFRAT ) model. Study Design and Methods We estimated the number of Q fever infections in recipients during the 2007 to 2009 outbreaks' peaks using selected notification data; estimates are calculated from the probability of a donor being infected. We compared this probability to the prevalence of infection estimated from an independent donation testing study and using the B iggerstaff model. We also quantified the risk reduction by implementing measures such as donation testing and donor deferral. Results A t the peak of the 2007, 2008, and 2009 outbreaks, there were an estimated 0.21, 0.96, and 1.59 recipients infected with Q fever, respectively. Between J une 1, 2009, and J anuary 31, 2010, the probability of a donor being infected with Q fever in the high‐incidence areas was estimated at 260 (95% confidence interval, 192‐340) per 100,000 donors, consistent with results from the donation testing study. The EUFRAT estimates were also consistent with estimates from the B iggerstaff model. Scenario analyses showed that donation testing provided the largest risk reduction of various risk reduction strategies. Conclusion The TT risk of Q fever during the 2007 to 2009 outbreaks was small, a result that is consistent with results of other studies. EUFRAT can be applied successfully to support decision making during outbreaks.