Transmission of human T cell lymphotropic virus type I by blood transfusion before and after mass screening of sera from seropositive donors

Vox Sang. 1987;52(1-2):43-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1987.tb02987.x.

Abstract

The human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is transmitted by blood transfusions that contain cell components as one of the virus transmission modes. We carried out mass screening of sera from seropositive donors by a gelatin particle agglutination test to prevent the spread of HTLV-I by transfusion. Seroconversion rates were compared before and after screening. The results show a remarkable decrease in the rate of infection from 53.6 to 0.9%. Therefore, it is certain that screening by the agglutination method prevents the spread of HTLV-I transmission in blood transfusions.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Blood Donors
  • Deltaretrovirus / immunology
  • Deltaretrovirus / isolation & purification
  • Deltaretrovirus Infections / blood
  • Deltaretrovirus Infections / immunology
  • Deltaretrovirus Infections / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening
  • Transfusion Reaction*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral