Possible transmission of Chikungunya virus through blood transfusion

• Published in: Current science (Bangalore) 2008-06, Vol.94 (12), p.1548-1549
• Main Authors: Kumar, C. V. M. Naresh, Gopal, D. V. R. Sai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood; Blood transfusion; Chikungunya virus; CORRESPONDENCE; Disease transmission; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus; Human immunodeficiency virus; Togaviridae
• ISSN: 0011-3891

Chikungunya, an arboviral disease caused by a virus that belongs to the genus Al-phavirus, family Togaviridae, had an estimated 1.3 million people in India as its victims. There has always been some linguistic confusion regarding the origin of the word 'Chikungunya'. Some authors report it to be derived from Makonde language, while some claim it to be derived from Swahili, and a recent report claimed it to be derived from Bantu language. From the initial reports of Robinson and Lumsden, and from the findings of Benjamin, we can confirm that the term Chikungunya is indeed derived from Makonde language. Although blood transfusion as a potential source for transmission of various pathogens (HIV, HBV, HCV, malaria, West Nile, etc.) has been established, up to date reports of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmission through blood transfusion have not been reported in the literature, except a case documented in France, wherein a nurse got infected after coming in direct contact with a CHIKV patient's blood. In our study of 129 CHIKV suspected patients (Sai Gopal el al., unpublished data), we observed two male patients in the age group of 20-30 years who had fever of one-day duration. The fever subsided on the second day and both of them resumed work as usual without showing any disease symptom. Blood drawn from these patients on the second day showed CHIKV-positive by RT-PCR. It is evident that depending upon the immune status, both of them might have acted as asymptomatic carriers. Blood donated by such patients during the viremic stage will be infectious to some extent and by observing asymptomatic CHIKV patients we cannot underestimate the possibility of such a transmission. In a recent study, Brouard et al. observed that the estimated risk of viremic blood donation was high during CHIKV outbreaks. Our present observation in agreement with recent reports, supports the fact that improper blood screening may to some extent help in spread of CHIKV. Although such a mode of transmission might be low, we cannot rule out the possibility and take any chance against the virus which has created havoc across geographical boundaries and age groups. The Government should take the necessary steps during such outbreaks and a precautionary measure should be implemented for CHIKV screening in blood banks. The impact and feasibility of CHIKV in organ transplantation is yet to be understood. In the absence of a preventive vaccine for CHIKV and to further prevent any such CHIKV ep