Prevalence of Parvovirus B19 Viremia Among German Blood Donations and the Relationship to ABO and Rhesus Blood Group Antigens

J Infect Dis. 2023 May 12;227(10):1214-1218. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiac456.

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic blood donors can transmit human parvovirus B19 (B19V).

Methods: We assessed the B19V prevalence among a large cohort of blood donations collected in Germany during 2015-2018.

Results: In total, 167 123 donations were screened for B19V deoxyribonucleic acid with 22 cases of viremia identified (0.013% positive). Infections peaked at a 4-year interval and the highest number of cases occurred in the summer months. All 22 infections were found in rhesus D-antigen-positive donations, suggesting a protective factor in donors who lack this antigen.

Conclusions: These findings contribute to our understanding of risk factors for B19V infection among central European blood and plasma donors.

Keywords: ABO; b19V; blood donations; blood group; rhesus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System*
  • Blood Donation*
  • Blood Donors
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Humans
  • Parvoviridae Infections* / epidemiology
  • Parvovirus B19, Human* / isolation & purification
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System*
  • Viremia* / epidemiology

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Rh-Hr Blood-Group System