Davidson F, Lycett C, Jarvis L M, Kerr D, Lumley S, Petrik J, Dow B C
Transfusion Transmitted Infection Group, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Summerhall, Edinburgh, UK.
Vox Sang. 2006 Oct;91(3):231-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2006.00816.x.
Positive samples identified during routine serological screening for HCV (hepatitis C virus), HBV (hepatitis B virus) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) are confirmed by nucleic acid testing in the SNBTS (Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service) PCR Reference laboratory. Serological screening for HTLV-I (human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I) and -II was implemented in Scotland in November 2002, at which time a PCR assay was not available for confirmation. Our aim was to develop a real-time PCR assay that could be used for the confirmation of samples showing HTLV-I serological positive or indeterminate reactivity and to investigate whether a serologically silent carrier status exists ('Tax' only) in the Scottish donor population.
A real-time HTLV PCR was devised using a lymphoblastoid cell line which has HTLV-I sequence integrated in the genome (C8166 cells). These were spiked into peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The assay was evaluated on archived serologically confirmed HTLV-positive samples and new positives identified since implementation of screening.
HTLV-I and -II were detected in cells and plasma from stored donations and a serological positive donation identified in routine screening. HTLV DNA can also be amplified from the plasma obtained from plasma preparation tubes. There was no evidence of a carrier status ('Tax' only) in 100 serologically negative blood donors tested. The PCR assay developed is reliable and sensitive, capable of identifying one copy of HTLV-I.
The HTLV PCR is a useful addition for HTLV confirmation, especially in serologically indeterminate samples and for look-back studies. HTLV PCR confirmation will provide additional useful information for donor medical staff for counselling donors.
在苏格兰国家输血服务（SNBTS）PCR参考实验室中，丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）、乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）和人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）常规血清学筛查中鉴定出的阳性样本通过核酸检测进行确认。2002年11月在苏格兰实施了人类嗜T淋巴细胞病毒I型（HTLV-I）和II型（HTLV-II）的血清学筛查，当时尚无PCR检测方法用于确认。我们的目的是开发一种实时PCR检测方法，可用于确认显示HTLV-I血清学阳性或反应不确定的样本，并调查苏格兰献血人群中是否存在血清学沉默携带者状态（仅“Tax”）。
使用基因组中整合有HTLV-I序列的淋巴母细胞系（C8166细胞）设计了一种实时HTLV PCR。将这些细胞加入外周血单个核细胞中。对存档的血清学确诊的HTLV阳性样本以及筛查实施后新发现的阳性样本进行了该检测方法的评估。
在储存的献血样本以及常规筛查中鉴定出的一份血清学阳性献血样本的细胞和血浆中检测到了HTLV-I和II。从血浆制备管获得的血浆中也可扩增出HTLV DNA。在检测的100名血清学阴性献血者中没有证据表明存在携带者状态（仅“Tax”）。所开发的PCR检测方法可靠且灵敏，能够鉴定出一个HTLV-I拷贝。
HTLV PCR对于HTLV的确认是一项有用的补充，特别是在血清学反应不确定的样本以及回顾性研究中。HTLV PCR确认将为献血者医护人员在咨询献血者时提供更多有用信息。
