We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Blood Donor Plasma Screened for Viral Antibodies

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 02 May 2011
An enzyme immunoassay kit revealed that a proportion of blood donors in France have been exposed to the Toscana virus (TOSV). More...


The presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM against TOSV in the plasma of the donors suggests a potential risk for transmitting the virus through blood transfusion or organ transplantation.

Scientists at the University of the Mediterranean, (Marseille, France), tested the plasma collected from 729 blood donors in seven French territorial divisions during the summer of 2007 for the presence of TOSV antibodies. A commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit was developed by using the recombinant nucleocapsid (N) protein of TOSV. This serologic test had been validated in a previous study that revealed high specificity and sensitivity.

The results showed that 84/729 (11.5%) plasma samples were positive for IgG against TOSV N protein. Twenty-four (3.3%) plasma samples were positive for IgM and five (0.7%) were positive for both IgG and IgM. To confirm the results, the IgG-positive samples were further subjected to Western blot (WB) analysis by using the TOSV isolate H/IMTSSA infected cell lysate. In 233 (32%) of the samples, protein of molecular mass compatible with that of the N protein was detected.

To detect TOSV ribonucleic acid (RNA), the investigators processed IgM-positive plasma samples by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The finding of IgM is an indication of a recent exposure to the virus and hence its possible presence in blood. The RT-PCR did not detect any viral RNA in the samples. These negative results could indicate either cleared viremia or a low viral load, below the sensitivity limit of the test. TOSV prevalence in Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, was unexpectedly high. In this region, 10 of the 115 donors, (8.7%), of the population sampled showed an IgG- or IgM-positive response. In the other districts, the IgM seroprevalence did not exceed 4.4%.

The commercial enzyme immunoassay kit used is known as the EIA Enzywell Toscana virus IgG and IgM, and produced by DIESSE Diagnostica Senese S.p.A.; Siena, Italy).

Toscana virus is an arthropod-borne RNA virus (family Bunyaviridae and genus Phlebovirus) transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies in Mediterranean countries. TOSV causes acute meningitis and meningoencephalitis in patients. The study was published in May 2011, in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Related Links:
University of the Mediterranean
DIESSE Diagnostica Senese S.p.A



New
Gold Member
Serological Pipets
INTEGRA Serological Pipets
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Automatic Hematology Analyzer
LABAS F9000
New
Silver Member
Autoimmune Hepatitis Test
LKM-1-Ab ELISA
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Immunology

view channel
Image: The Volition Nu.Q nucleosome assay runs on the IDS i10 automated analyzer platform (Photo courtesy of VolitionRx)

Groundbreaking Lateral Flow Test Quantifies Nucleosomes in Whole Venous Blood in Minutes

Diagnosing immune disruptions quickly and accurately is crucial in conditions such as sepsis, where timely intervention is critical for patient survival. Traditional testing methods can be slow, expensive,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: A real-time trial has shown that AI could speed cancer care (Photo courtesy of Campanella, et al., Nature Medicine)

AI Accurately Predicts Genetic Mutations from Routine Pathology Slides for Faster Cancer Care

Current cancer treatment decisions are often guided by genetic testing, which can be expensive, time-consuming, and not always available at leading hospitals. For patients with lung adenocarcinoma, a critical... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.