Transfusion risk associated with recent arbovirus outbreaks in French Polynesia.

Background And Objectives: French Polynesia, where dengue virus (DENV) has been present for a long time, experienced two successive outbreaks of Zika (ZIKV) and chikungunya viruses (CHIKV) between 2013 and 2015. To avoid the transmission of these viruses by transfusion, nucleic acid testing (NAT) has been in place for DENV since 2013 and for ZIKV and CHIKV during epidemics. The objective was to compare the estimated risk of viraemic blood donation with NAT results and to discuss the impact on the prevention of transfusion-related infectious risk.

Hepatitis E prevalence in French Polynesian blood donors.

The HEV seroprevalence in mainland France is elevated (22.4%). In contrast, anti-HEV seroprevalence appears to be lower in Oceania.

Zika virus in French Polynesia 2013-14: anatomy of a completed outbreak.

The Zika virus crisis exemplified the risk associated with emerging pathogens and was a reminder that preparedness for the worst-case scenario, although challenging, is needed. Herein, we review all data reported during the unexpected emergence of Zika virus in French Polynesia in late 2013. We focus on the new findings reported during this outbreak, especially the first description of severe neurological complications in adults and the retrospective description of CNS malformations in neonates, the isolation of Zika virus in semen, the potential for blood-transfusion transmission, mother-to-child transmission, and the development of new diagnostic assays.

Zika virus and blood transfusion: the experience of French Polynesia.

Background: Between October 2013 and March 2014, French Polynesia experienced the largest Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak ever described before the emergence of ZIKV in the Americas in 2015. As arbovirus transfusion-transmitted (TT) infections have been previously reported, we hypothesized that transfusion of blood products could also transmit ZIKV.

Study Design And Methods: Mitigation strategies to prevent ZIKV-TT infections included nonspecific measures and the implementation of a laboratory developed ZIKV-specific nucleic acid testing (NAT) assay.

Amustaline (S-303) treatment inactivates high levels of Zika virus in red blood cell components.

Background: The potential for Zika virus (ZIKV) transfusion-transmission (TT) has been demonstrated in French Polynesia and Brazil. Pathogen inactivation (PI) of blood products is a proactive strategy to inactivate TT pathogens including arboviruses. Inactivation of West Nile, dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses was previously demonstrated by photochemical treatment with amotosalen and ultraviolet A (UVA) illumination.

Molecular detection of Zika virus in blood and RNA load determination during the French Polynesian outbreak.

Zika virus (ZIKV) viremia is reported as low and transient; however, these estimates rely on limited data. We report RNA loads in sera collected from symptomatic patients during the 2013-2014 French Polynesian ZIKV outbreak. We performed molecular detection of ZIKV RNA in sera from 747 patients presenting with suspected acute phase ZIKV infection.

Seroprevalence of arboviruses among blood donors in French Polynesia, 2011-2013.

Objectives: French Polynesia is a high epidemic/endemic area for arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses). We recently reported the silent circulation of Ross River virus and absence of active transmission of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) among blood donors sampled before the emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) and CHIKV in French Polynesia. In this study, the prevalence of the four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) and the occurrence of circulation of other arboviruses were investigated in blood donors in French Polynesia.

Inactivation of Zika virus in plasma with amotosalen and ultraviolet A illumination.

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) transmitted by mosquitoes. The potential for ZIKV transmission through blood transfusion was demonstrated during the ZIKV outbreak that occurred in French Polynesia from October 2013 to April 2014. Pathogen inactivation of blood products is a proactive strategy that provides the potential to reduce transfusion-transmitted diseases.

Silent Circulation of Ross River Virus in French Polynesia.

Objectives: Ross River is an emerging mosquito-borne disease in the Western Pacific. Ross River virus (RRV) circulation has been sporadically reported in some Pacific Island Countries and Territories but never in French Polynesia. To determine if RRV has circulated locally among the French Polynesian population, we conducted a seroprevalence study on blood donors.

Absence of antibodies to Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Coxiella burnetii in Tahiti, French Polynesia.

Background: In the Pacific islands countries and territories, very little is known about the incidence of infectious diseases due to zoonotic pathogens. To our knowledge, human infections due to Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia spp.

Inactivation of dengue virus in plasma with amotosalen and ultraviolet A illumination.

Background: Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent arbovirus in tropical and subtropical regions. Transfusion-transmitted DENV infections have already been reported and the risk for blood products to be contaminated by DENV needs to be considered in dengue-endemic areas, especially during outbreaks. Blood product inactivation processes, including amotosalen and ultraviolet A (UVA) illumination, have been developed to reduce transfusion-transmitted infections.