Lookback procedures after postdonation notifications during a Q fever outbreak in the Netherlands. Issue 4 (13th July 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van Kraaij, Marian G.J.; Slot, Ed; Hogema, Boris M.; Zaaijer, Hans L.
• Is Part Of: Transfusion. Volume 53:Issue 4(2013)
• Page Start: 716
• Page End: 721
• Publication Date: 2012-07-13
• Subjects: Hematology -- Periodicals; Blood -- Transfusion -- Periodicals; Blood Group Antigens -- Periodicals; Blood Preservation -- Periodicals; Blood Transfusion -- Periodicals; 615
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2012.03792.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0041-1132

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold>BACKGROUND:</bold> Since 2007, large outbreaks of Q fever occurred in the Netherlands. The unprecedented number of Q fever infections resulted in the need for the Dutch blood transfusion service to evaluate the risk of transmission of <italic>Coxiella burnetii</italic> via blood.</p> <p> <bold>STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:</bold> A lookback procedure (recipient tracing) was performed for transfused blood products of whole blood donors with confirmed <italic>C. burnetii</italic> infection within 3 weeks before to 3 weeks after blood donation. Repository samples of index donations were tested with real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for <italic>C. burnetii</italic> DNA. Hospitals were asked to review the medical records of recipients and—if considered necessary—to test the recipients for infection with <italic>C. burnetii</italic>.</p> <p> <bold>RESULTS:</bold> From 2007 through 2011, a total of 33 blood donors notified the blood bank of infection with <italic>C. burnetii</italic>. Thirteen donations fulfilled the criteria for a lookback procedure (18 blood products). <italic>C. burnetii</italic> PCR was positive in 1 of 13 repository samples of index donations. Blood products were transfused to 18 recipients. Information was retrieved from 12 of them; seven were tested for <italic>C. burnetii</italic>. Two recipients showed positive serology. However, transmission of <italic>C. burnetii</italic> via transfusion was unlikely, especially since most recipients lived in the same Q fever–affected area as the donors.</p> <p> <bold>CONCLUSION:</bold> Blood donors who have clinical Q fever around the time of blood donation are unlikely to test positive for <italic>C. burnetii</italic> by PCR in repository samples. Transmission of <italic>C. burnetii</italic> via transfusion of blood products could not be demonstrated in a lookback exercise.</p> </abstract>