Haemovigilance survey and screening strategy for arthropod-borne viruses in blood donors from Argentina.

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) count among emerging infections, which represent a major challenge for transfusion safety worldwide. To assess the risk of arboviruses-transmission by transfusion (ATT), we performed a survey to evaluate the potential threat for transfusion safety. Samples were retrospectively and randomly collected from donors who donated during the peak of dengue incidence in Cordoba (years: 2016 and 2019-2022).

Infection by human polyomaviruses JCPyV and BKPyV in blood donors of Argentina.

Background And Objectives: A spectrum of blood-borne infectious agents may be transmitted through transfusion of blood components from asymptomatic donors. Despite the persistence of polyomaviruses in blood cells, no studies have been conducted in Argentina to assess the risk of transfusion infection.

Materials And Methods: We investigated BKPyV and JCPyV in 720 blood donors, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for a region of T antigen common to both viruses.

Seronegative human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1 carriers in blood banks: A potential viral source for silent transmission?

Background And Objectives: Transfusion-transmitted viruses count among the greatest threats to blood safety. In Argentina, current laws oblige testing all donated blood for the presence of antibodies against human T-cell lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2). In endemic zones of the country, a high rate of seronegative HTLV-1 individuals with clear evidence of infection because of symptoms and/or presence of tax sequences of HTLV-1 and/or IgG anti-Tax antibodies has been recently described.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in Argentinean blood donors.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the main cause of enteric acute viral hepatitis worldwide. In this epidemiological framework, it has become a threat to blood safety and a relevant issue for blood transfusions. However, there is a paucity of data regarding prevalence of HEV infection.

Gender-neutral donor deferral policies: experience in Argentina implementing individual risk-assessment policies.

Background: In Argentina, with the aim of moving to a safe supportive and inclusive National Blood System, in September 2015 the Ministry of Health stipulated that eligibility criteria for blood donation should only take into account the so-called 'risk practices', focusing on a 'gender-neutral' policy. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the impact of such regulation on the prevalence of STI in the population of blood donors in Argentina, through the analysis of the scientific evidence obtained from 174 074 donors from a large central region of the country, focused on a regional Blood Bank for a 6-year period (pre- and post-entry into force of the regulations).

Materials And Methods: To analyse the evolution of prevalence rates of STI, two periods of 3 years each were evaluated: The first period (P1) lasted from 16 September 2012 to 15 September 2015 (prior to the entry into force of the law) and the second one (P2) from 16 September 2015 to 15 September 2018 (after the entry into force of the law).

Usefulness of Non-Invasive Fetal RHD Genotyping towards Immunoprophylaxis Optimization.

Since anti-D immunoprophylaxis given to D-negative pregnant women is a blood product, blood donations have an impact on the availability of prophylactic doses. The Pan American Health Organization reported, in June 2017, that less than half of blood donors are volunteers in Latin America and the Caribbean. In these countries, guidelines for use of anti-D prophylaxis are still controversial.

Usefulness of nucleic acid testing to reduce risk of hepatitis B virus transfusion-transmitted infection in Argentina: high rate of recent infections.

Background: Results from 10-year experience using nucleic acid test (NAT) screening in a blood bank of Córdoba are presented, showing the first data on prevalence of recent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and occult HBV infections (OBIs) in Argentina.

Study Design And Methods: Molecular screening was performed by COBAS AmpliScreen human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-1) test Version 1.5 and COBAS AmpliScreen hepatitis C virus (HCV) test Version 2.