Screening of blood donors for chronic Coxiella burnetii infection after large Q fever outbreaks. Issue 11 (12th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Slot, Ed; Hogema, Boris M.; Molier, Michel; Zaaijer, Hans L.
• Is Part Of: Transfusion. Volume 54:Issue 11(2014)
• Page Start: 2867
• Page End: 2870
• Publication Date: 2014-06-12
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Transfusion -- Periodicals; Blood Group Antigens -- Periodicals; Blood Preservation -- Periodicals; Blood Transfusion -- Periodicals; 615
• DOI: 10.1111/trf.12749
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0041-1132

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="trf12749-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>The Netherlands experienced major Q fever outbreaks from 2007 through 2009. An increasing number of human chronic Q fever cases has been reported in the affected area. Blood donors unaware of chronic <italic>Coxiella burnetii</italic> infection might be infectious for transfusion recipients. Local blood donations were screened for serologic signs of chronic <italic>Coxiella</italic> infection.</p> </sec> <sec id="trf12749-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Study Design and Methods</title> <p>From August 2012 through January 2013, a total of 2490 serum samples were collected from all consenting blood donors in the most affected Q fever outbreak area and screened for Phase II anti‐<italic>Coxiella</italic> immunoglobulin G antibodies using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (Phase II antibodies are considered indicative for resolved or ongoing <italic>Coxiella</italic> infection.) Reactive samples were confirmed by quantitative immunofluorescent Phase I and II antibody testing. A Phase I antibody titer of at least 1024 was considered indicative for chronic <italic>Coxiella</italic> infection. For 179 donors archived samples from 2009 and 2010 were available to study the long‐term course of <italic>Coxiella</italic> antibodies.</p> </sec> <sec id="trf12749-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A total of 110 of 2490 donors were confirmed positive for Phase II <italic>Coxiella</italic> antibodies (4.4%; 95% confidence interval, 3.7%‐5.3%), of which 79 were reactive for Phase I antibodies, with a maximum titer of 256. In 15 of 24 donors (62.5%), testing positive for Phase II antibodies in 2009 and 2010, ELISA reactivity had declined to negativity in 2012 and 2013.</p> </sec> <sec id="trf12749-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>After large Q fever outbreaks in the Netherlands, no sign of potentially infectious chronic <italic>Coxiella</italic> infection was found among blood donors in the most affected area. Using an ELISA for detection, <italic>Coxiella</italic> antibodies in previously exposed donors waned quickly.</p> </sec> </abstract>