Molecular epidemiology of human Herpesviruses types 1-6 and 8 among Greek blood donors.

BACKGROUND

Human Herpesviruses (HHVs) maintain life-long latent persistence in the majority of the adult population including blood donors. The necessity for their study resides in the potential risk of transfusion-associated infection and the subsequent complications in the immunocompromised host. We aimed to assess the prevalence of HHVs types 1-6 and 8 among healthy blood donors of Thessaly prefecture in order to evaluate the frequency distribution of HHVs in Greek population and to ascertain possible correlations with demographic factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of HHVs DNA was determined in 401 randomly selected consecutive blood donors of Central Greece. Epidemiological data were recorded through a well structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

The overall PCR positivity for HHVs was 25·4%. HHVs types 1-3 were not detected in any donor sample. A specimen with high level of HHV-6 DNA (1,580,400 copies per mL) was recorded. HHV-4 DNA positivity was significantly associated with rural residency.

CONCLUSION

HHV-4 DNA is commonly detected in whole blood specimens of healthy individuals. HHVs types 5, 6 and 8 are rarely detected. However, the existence of a donor sample with high HHV-6 viral load raises questions regarding the potential risk of HHV-6 blood-borne infection and the safety of blood products.