Low risk of SARS-CoV-2 in blood transfusion

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249069
• Publication Date: 2021-04-13T17:36:42Z
• Authors: Michael Owusu; Augustina Angelin...; Philip El-Duah; Nana Kwame Ayisi-...; Richmond Yeboah; Eric Adu; Jesse Asamoah; Michael Frimpong; Japhet Senyo; Godfred Acheampong; Mohamed Mutocheluh; John Amuasi; Ellis Owusu-Dabo; Yaw Adu-Sarkodie; Richard Odame Phi...
• Keywords: Pandemic; Nucleic acid test

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to remain a global challenge. There is emerging evidence of SARS-CoV-2 virus found in the blood patients from China and some developed countries. However, there inadequate data reported Ghana other parts Africa, where transfusion service heavily relies on voluntary replacement donors. This study aimed investigate whether plasma infected individuals could pose significant transmitted risk COVID-19 Ghanaian populations.This cross-sectional retrospective was conducted at Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research into Tropical Medicine (KCCR), KNUST, Ghana. Study subjects comprised contacts individuals, those with classical symptoms who had recovered based new discharge criteria. Whole blood, sputum or deep coughed saliva samples were collected transported KCCR testing. Viral nucleic acid extracted sputum/nasopharyngeal using Da An Gene column kit LBP extraction kit. Real-Time PCR performed specifically targeting ORF1ab Nucleocapsid (N) genomic regions virus.A total 97 recruited study, more than half being males (58; 59.7%). mean age all 33 years (SD = 7.7) minimum 22 maximum 56 years. Majority (76; 78.4%) asymptomatic, among few symptomatic subjects, cough (10; 10.3%) most predominant symptom. Of tested, 79 (81.4%) positive SARS-CoV-2. We identified viral RNA 1 (1.03%) subject clinically recovered.This reports identification convalescent individual Due low prevalence observed marginal cycling thresholds associated, transmission negligible. Well-powered studies advanced diagnostics determine infectious viremia recommended further evaluate potential hematogenous patients.