Risk Factors Associated with Ebola and Marburg Viruses Seroprevalence in Blood Donors in the Republic of Congo

BackgroundEbola and Marburg viruses (family Filoviridae, genera Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus) cause haemorrhagic fevers in humans, often associated with high mortality rates. The presence of antibodies to Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) has been reported in some African countries in individuals without a history of haemorrhagic fever. In this study, we present a MARV and EBOV seroprevalence study conducted amongst blood donors in the Republic of Congo and the analysis of risk factors for contact with EBOV.Conclusions/SignificanceThis MARV and EBOV serological survey performed in the Republic of Congo identifies a probable role for environmental determinants of exposure to EBOV. It highlights the requirement for extending our understanding of the ecological and epidemiological risk of bats (previously identified as a potential ecological reservoir) and birds as vectors of EBOV to humans, and characterising the protection potentially afforded by EBOV-specific antibodies as detected in blood donors.     

Seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A and E viruses in pediatric age groups in Turkey

Hepatitis A and hepatitis E are enteric transmitted viral diseases occurring in epidemic and sporadic forms especially in developing countries. Previous studies in Turkey showed that most residents are infected with HAV by the second decade of life. Since HEV is generally transmitted by the same route as HAV we conducted a community-based seroprevalence study for HAV and HEV infection in Ahatli area in Antalya, Turkey where socioeconomic conditions are low. Anti-HAV total immunoglobulin was tested by using a microparticle EIA (Axsym-Abbott Lab). Anti-HEV IgG was assayed by a micro ELISA method (Genelabs-Singapore). Of the 338 sera tested, 112 (33.1%) were positive for anti-HAV total antibody. Anti-HEV IgG was detected in three (0.89%) of the serum samples. Seropositivity rates of HAV in preschool and school children were 19.9% and 43.9% respectively (p < 0.001). No antibody to HEV was detected in preschool children, while the prevalence of anti-HEV IgG was 1.6% in children attending school. Our data showed that seroprevalence of anti-HAV is high among children samples but HEV infection appears to be relatively rare in pediatric age groups.     

北京血站献血员戊型肝炎流行病学调查

为了解献血员戊型肝炎感染情况,对2002年7～8月向北京市血液中心义务献血的所有人员进行整群抽样并抽血,应用ELISA检测戊型肝炎病毒(HEV)IgG的感染率.结果发现:北京献血员HEV IgG总感染率为26.59%,性别、年龄、省份分布存在着差别,男性比女性感染率高,年龄越大感染率越高,来自高感染省份者感染率也高,但ALT与HEV IgG感染无关.因此,男性、年龄大、来自高感染省份具有较高的HEV感染风险,进一步研究献血员的亚临床感染对HEV的输血安全性具有重要意义.     

张家口地区献血者隐匿性乙肝病毒感染研究

目的:对张家口地区无偿献血者中隐匿性乙肝病毒感染情况进行流行病学调查,为当地血液安全筛查提供指导意义.方法:应用HBsAg ELISA检测试剂盒对回库无偿献血者标本进行检测;对血浆标本采用nested-PCR技术进行HBV核酸检测;对阳性标本进行HBVDNA序列分析.结果:在总计5498例次标本的检测中,共有5417例为HBsAg阴性;HBsAg阴性标本中nested-PCR方法检出13例HBV DNA阳性(0.24％,13/5417);测序结果显示隐匿性HBV感染者中C基因型所占的比例为61.5％(10/16),明显高于HBsAg阳性的HBV感染者(28.2％,11/39,P＜0.01).结论:张家口地区无偿献血者中存在较高比例的隐匿性乙肝病毒感染.     

献血员血清抗—HCV和HCV RNA检测

本文对宜昌市的２９９９名献血员,５９４名自然人群的血清进行了抗－ＨＣＶ、ＨＣＶＲＮＡ检测,结果表明,献血员中抗－ＨＣＶ阳性２３例,阳性率为０．７７％。其中宜昌、巴东分别为０．７３％和０．７６％,沙市为０．８３％。地区、性别、城乡之间抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率无显著性差异（ｐ＞０．０５）。参照以往文献报导,此阳性率比国内报导的低,与国际的相一致。５９４名自然人群抗－ＨＣＶ结果均为阴性,献血员与自然人群之间抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率差异显著（ｐ＜０．０５）。２０例抗－ＨＣＶ阳性者中检出ＨＣＶ　ＲＮＡ阳性６例,占３０％（６／２０）,占受检献血员的０．２０％（６／２９９９）,比武汉（０．８０％）低４倍,地区之间无显著差异（ｐ＞０．０５）。由此初步确认：宜昌市献血员中丙型病毒性肝炎感染低于国内某些大中城市、宜昌市（含七县二市）巴东县、沙市市是丙型病毒性肝炎低感染区。但存在无症状病毒血症携带者传染源。     

Two at one blow: reemergence of tularemia in Upper Austria

After field dressing a rabbit in the state of Upper Austria, Austria two members of a family were infected with tularemia in November 2010. The patients were a man in his forties and his father-in-law in his sixties. Tularemia is a rare disease in Austria. In the last 10 years between 2 and 8 cases have been reported annually. Of the total of 40 cases none was reported in the state of Upper Austria. Thus, this case report documents the reemergence of tularemia in Upper Austria.     

北京地区部分人类免疫缺陷病毒基因型分析

我国于1985年发现第1例AIDS患者，据估计到2001年底我国艾滋病病毒(Human immunodeficiency viruses，HrV)感染者和患者累计数已达84万人，而且我国艾滋病的传播呈快速增长的态势，2001年报告艾滋病病毒感染数较上年增长了58％。HIV主要通过静脉吸毒、输血或使用血液制品以及不良性行     

北京地区部分人类免疫缺陷病毒基因型分析

我国于1985年发现第1例ADS患者,据估计到2001年底我国艾滋病病毒(Humanimmunodeficiency viruses,HIV)感染者和患者累计数已达84万人,而且我国艾滋病的传播呈快速增长的态势,2001年报告艾滋病病毒感染数较上年增长了58%.HIV主要通过静脉吸毒、输血或使用血液制品以及不良性行为传播.     

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Trypanosoma cruzi Seropositive and Seronegative Former Blood Donors

Background

Blood donor screening leads to large numbers of new diagnoses of Trypanosoma cruzi infection, with most donors in the asymptomatic chronic indeterminate form. Information on electrocardiogram (ECG) findings in infected blood donors is lacking and may help in counseling and recognizing those with more severe disease.

Objectives

To assess the frequency of ECG abnormalities in T.cruzi seropositive relative to seronegative blood donors, and to recognize ECG abnormalities associated with left ventricular dysfunction.

Methods

The study retrospectively enrolled 499 seropositive blood donors in São Paulo and Montes Claros, Brazil, and 483 seronegative control donors matched by site, gender, age, and year of blood donation. All subjects underwent a health clinical evaluation, ECG, and echocardiogram (Echo). ECG and Echo were reviewed blindly by centralized reading centers. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction (EF)<0.50%.

Results

Right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicular block, isolated or in association, were more frequently found in seropositive cases (p<0.0001). Both QRS and QTc duration were associated with LVEF values (correlation coefficients −0.159,p<0.0003, and −0.142,p = 0.002) and showed a moderate accuracy in the detection of reduced LVEF (area under the ROC curve: 0.778 and 0.790, both p<0.0001). Several ECG abnormalities were more commonly found in seropositive donors with depressed LVEF, including rhythm disorders (frequent supraventricular ectopic beats, atrial fibrillation or flutter and pacemaker), intraventricular blocks (right bundle branch block and left anterior fascicular block) and ischemic abnormalities (possible old myocardial infarction and major and minor ST abnormalities). ECG was sensitive (92%) for recognition of seropositive donors with depressed LVEF and had a high negative predictive value (99%) for ruling out LV dysfunction.

Conclusions

ECG abnormalities are more frequent in seropositive than in seronegative blood donors. Several ECG abnormalities may help the recognition of seropositive cases with reduced LVEF who warrant careful follow-up and treatment.     

无偿献血者中隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染及表面抗原突变分析

采用多种免疫学检测和核酸检测相结合的方法调查了我国南方某城市无偿献血者中隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染的存在情况。结果在9023例乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阴性的无偿献血者中,共发现17例HBV DNA阳性,隐匿性HBV感染者的发生率为0.19%(95%CI:0.11～0.30%)。序列分析显示其中6例在HBsAg"a"表位(aa124～aa147)存在不同程度氨基酸突变,突变发生率为42.9%(6/14,有3例未扩增出"a"表位片段序列),G145R突变是该地区隐匿性HBV携带者中发生频率最高的突变(4/6,66.7%)。隐匿性HBV感染者中基因型C的比例(10/17)显著高于HBsAg阳性的HBV感染者(0/15,P<0.01)。     

Incidence of hepatitis B in hemophilia patients

Hepatitis represents a serious complication in the transfusion of blood and blood products. In examining patients from the haemophilia centre in Jena HBsAg was identified in no case, HBsAK, however, in 80% of them. The rate of hepatitis infection increased here with the increasing frequency of transfusion. It should be determined by regularly checking HBsAG, HBsAK and transferases within the scope of prophylactic examinations.     

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus,Hepatitis B Virus,Hepatitis C Virus,and Treponema pallidum Infections among Blood Donors on Bioko Island,Equatorial Guinea

Background

Regular screening of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively), and Treponema pallidum, in blood donors is essential to guaranteeing clinical transfusion safety. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of four TTIs among blood donors on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea (EG).

Methods

A retrospective survey of blood donors from January 2011 to April 2013 was conducted to assess the presence of HIV, HBV, HCV and T. pallidum. The medical records were analyzed to verify the seroprevalence of these TTIs among blood donations stratified by gender, age and geographical region.

Results

Of the total 2937 consecutive blood donors, 1098 (37.39%) had a minimum of one TTI and 185 (6.29%) harbored co-infections. The general seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and T. pallidum were 7.83%, 10.01%, 3.71% and 21.51%, respectively. The most frequent TTI co-infections were HBV-T. pallidum 60 (2.04%) and HIV-T. pallidum 46 (1.57%). The seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and T. pallidum were highest among blood donors 38 to 47 years, 18 to 27 years and ≥ 48 years age, respectively (P<0.05). The seroprevalence of TTIs varied according to the population from which the blood was collected on Bioko Island.

Conclusions

Our results firstly provide a comprehensive overview of TTIs among blood donors on Bioko Island. Strict screening of blood donors and improved hematological examinations using standard operating procedures are recommended.