Simultaneous detection of Epstein - Barr virus and Cytomegalovirus DNA in Mini-pooling of Whole blood Samples from Iraqi blood donors by Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay

Ghinwa S. Majid, Ahmed S. Abdulamir, Abbas M. Ahmed, Iman M. Aufi, Orooba I. Abdullah
2020 Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health  
A qualitative multiplex real-time PCR assay was used for simultaneously detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA within blood donors by using 10 sample mini-pools (MP10) of whole blood from blood donors using a commercial multiplex PCR kit. The multiplex assay saved time and was cost effective through using blood mini-pools. A total of 1000 whole-blood specimens were collected from blood donors and pooled in 100 MP10 and were categorized to 50 pools after 6h from blood
more » ... thdrawal and the rest (50 pools) after 12h from blood withdrawal then analyzed by multiplex qPCR kit (Sacace/Italy) . The results were that 42% of MP10 whole blood from blood donors was positive for EBV and 4% positive for CMV; in addition, NAT assay for CMV DNA detection was shown to be better after 12 hrs from blood withdrawal. It is concluded that the activated EBV in a whole blood was high in Iraqi blood donors while the activated CMV was moderately low and the multiplex PCR assay was found to be sensitive for CMV and EBV DNA detection using whole blood specimen within mini pools. EBV and CMV detection by NAT is essential to reduce complications that could be associated with blood transfusion.
doi:10.36295/asro.2020.231441 fatcat:74dqbx3dinemdhopbe7z6pfuku