Transfusion-transmissible coinfections among US blood donors.

Background: Transfusion-transmissible infection (TTI) prevalence among US blood donors has been widely documented. Here we estimate the prevalence of donors presenting with ≥2 TTIs (multiple infections past or present referred to as coinfections) and describe their demographics and associations.

Methods: Data from the Transfusion-Transmissible Infections Monitoring System were compiled for October 2020-September 2023 (3 years).

Absence of evidence of transfusion transmission risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the United States: Results froma 28-year lookback study.

Background: For many years, there has been concern about the risk of transmission of classic forms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) by blood transfusion, particularly after the recognition of such transmission of variant CJD (vCJD). We report on a 28-year lookback study of recipients of blood from donors who subsequently developed CJD.

Methods: Patients with diagnosed CJD and a history of blood donation were identified.

Trajectory and Demographic Correlates of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid in Recently Infected Blood Donors, United States.

We evaluated antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 in a large cohort of blood donors in the United States who were recently infected with the virus. Antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 indicate previous infection but are subject to waning, potentially affecting epidemiologic studies. We longitudinally evaluated a cohort of 19,323 blood donors who had evidence of recent infection by using a widely available serologic test to determine the dynamics of such waning.

Low risk of human T-lymphotropic virus infection in U.S. blood donors; Is it time to consider a one-time selective testing approach?

Background: U.S. blood donors are tested at each donation for human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) antibodies.

A Longitudinal Study of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Antibody Response in a Subset of United States Blood Donors.

Background: Blood donors were tested for antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); resulting antibody levels were monitored over time.

Methods: Donors reactive to anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S1-total antibodies) participated in a follow-up study of 18 months. Testing for nucleocapsid antibodies distinguished between vaccination and infection.

How do we forecast tomorrow's transfusion: Infectious safety?

Continuous improvement has led to a very high degree of microbial safety of transfusion. Four issues are likely to impact the future of this safety. There will be further advances in the efficacy and efficiency of donation testing and pathogen reduction, increasing safety and hopefully eliminating unnecessary procedures.

Genotype Distribution and Demographic Characteristics of Hepatitis C Virus Nucleic Acid Testing Yield Cases Among US Blood Donors.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rates among US blood donors have been well characterized; however, few studies evaluated HCV genotypes among blood donors. Monitoring trends in disease and demographic patterns contributes to understanding the safety of the blood supply. We examined the demographic characteristics and distribution of HCV genotypes/subgenotypes for nearly a 16-year period among blood donors confirmed positive for HCV RNA but antibody negative (defined as nucleic acid testing [NAT] yield).

Background rate of low-level HCV RNA in anti-HCV confirmed-positive and minipool nucleic acid test-nonreactive blood donations.

Background: In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration revised the requirement for further testing of anti-HCV-reactive donations testing nucleic acid (NAT)-nonreactive via routine mini-pool (MP)-NAT. Individual donation (ID)-HCV NAT was required as a supplemental test prior to a second FDA-licensed anti-HCV assay; if ID-HCV-NAT is reactive, no further testing is required. This study investigated the rate of low-level RNA in anti-HCV-reactive donation samples prior to and following the implementation of supplemental ID-HCV NAT.

Babesia blood testing: the first-year experience.

Background: Babesia is an intraerythrocytic parasite responsible for hundreds of cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis in the past 50 years. In May of 2020, blood testing for Babesia was implemented at the American Red Cross (ARC) for all donations in endemic areas of the northeastern and midwestern regions of the United States.

Methods: Between May 2020 and May 2021, 1,816,669 donations from 13 states and DC were tested for Babesia by the ARC.

Patterns of Antibody Response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Among 1.6 Million Blood Donors: Impact of Vaccination, United States, December 2020-June 2021.

From December 2020 to June 2021, 1654487 blood donors were tested for antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) S1 protein, and 1028547 (62.17%) were reactive. A rapid increase in prevalence was due to vaccination.

Characteristics of US Blood Donors Testing Reactive for Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Prior to the Availability of Authorized Vaccines.

In the United States, many blood collection organizations initiated programs to test all blood donors for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, as a measure to increase donations and to assist in the identification of potential donors of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). As a result, it was possible to investigate the characteristics of healthy blood donors who had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2. We report the findings from all blood donations collected by the American Red Cross, representing 40% of the national blood supply covering 44 States, in order to characterize the seroepidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection among blood donors in the United States, prior to authorized vaccine availability.

HIV, HCV, and HBV incidence and residual risk in US blood donors before and after implementation of the 12-month deferral policy for men who have sex with men.

Background: In December 2015, the men who have sex with men (MSM) deferral was reduced to 12 months in the United States. We compared human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) incidence and residual risk before and after this policy change using data from >50% of the US blood supply.

Study Design And Methods: Three estimation intervals from the Transfusion-Transmissible Infections Monitoring System were compared: 15-months pre- and two consecutive, nonoverlapping 15-month post-MSM deferral implementation.

Change in Donor Characteristics and Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Donated Blood in the US, June-August 2020.

This study describes changes in blood donor demographics and seroreactivity after testing of blood donations for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies began and was publicized in the US in mid-June 2020.

Use of a rapid electronic survey methodology to estimate blood donors' potential exposure to emerging infectious diseases: Application of a statistically representative sampling methodology to assess risk in US blood centers.

Unlabelled: Risk assessments of transfusion-transmitted emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are complicated by the fact that blood donors' demographics and behaviors can be different from the general population. Therefore, when assessing potential blood donor exposure to EIDs, the use of general population characteristics, such as U.S.

Screening Blood Donors for HIV, HCV, and HBV at the American Red Cross: 10-Year Trends in Prevalence, Incidence, and Residual Risk, 2007 to 2016.

Prevalence, incidence and residual risk of HIV, HCV and HBV are critical indicators of the safety of the blood supply. The American Red Cross routinely monitors these markers. Herein the results of testing over 58 million donations from 2007 to 2016 are reported.

West Nile virus activity in United States blood donors and optimizing detection strategies: 2014-2018.

Background: Rare transfusion-transmitted West Nile virus (WNV) cases usually occur due to gaps in testing involving converting to more sensitive nucleic acid testing (NAT) formats (referred to as triggering). Using data from 2014 to 2018, we investigated a strategy used to increase detection early in the triggering period and reviewed its yield as the individual donation (ID)-NAT geographic area was decreased.

Methods: Mini-pool-NAT transitioned to ID-NAT following triggering based on one WNV NAT-reactive donation (having an elevated signal, repeat reactive, or in an area with WNV ongoing activity).

Characteristics of transfusion-transmitted Babesia microti, American Red Cross 2010-2017.

Background: Babesia microti, a red blood cell (RBC) parasite transmitted naturally to vertebrate hosts by ixodid ticks, is endemic to the northeastern and upper midwestern United States, with the geographic range of infected ticks expanding. B. microti is a blood safety issue with >200 transfusion-transmissions reported.