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Detection of emergent strains of W est N ile virus with a blood screening assay
Author(s) -
Faddy Helen M.,
Flower Robert L.P.,
Seed Clive R.,
Ismay Susan,
Ong Edgar,
Linnen Jeffrey M.,
Cory Robin,
Holmberg Jerry A.,
Hall Roy A.,
Setoh Yin X.,
Deerain Joshua M.,
Prow Natalie A.
Publication year - 2016
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.13443
Subject(s) - virology , virulence , flaviviridae , west nile virus , biology , flavivirus , virus , whole blood , microbiology and biotechnology , viral disease , immunology , gene , biochemistry
BACKGROUND West Nile virus (WNV) is a threat to transfusion safety. WNV Kunjin strain (WNV KUN ) is endemic across parts of Australia; however, human infection is believed to be infrequent and is often associated with relatively minor symptoms. A virulent strain, closely related to WNV KUN (termed WNV NSW2011 ) was recently identified as the etiologic agent of encephalitis in Australian horses. The aim of this project was to investigate whether a commercially available WNV blood screening assay can detect different strains of WNV KUN , including the virulent WNV NSW2011 , in human blood donor samples. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Plasma samples were spiked with four different strains of WNV KUN , as well as a prototype WNV strain, at high, medium, and low viral loads. Spiking was confirmed with real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), before testing with the Procleix WNV transcription‐mediated amplification (TMA) blood screening assay (Grifols). RESULTS All WNV strains used were detectable by RT‐PCR after being spiked into plasma. Additionally, all viral spiked samples were reactive by WNV TMA. CONCLUSION We experimentally demonstrate that a commercially available WNV blood screening assay can detect different strains of WNV KUN . Given that WNV can be transfusion transmissible, it is essential to confirm that emergent strains are detectable by existing blood screening methods.