Evaluation of the use of real-time PCR for human T cell lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 as a confirmatory test in screening for blood donors

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2010-03, Vol.43 (2), p.111-115
• Main Authors: Andrade, Rafaela Gomes, Ribeiro, Maísa Aparecida, Namen-Lopes, Maria Sueli Silva, Silva, Sônia Mara Nunes, Basques, Fernando Valadares, Ribas, João Gabriel, Carneiro-Proietti, Anna Bárbara de Freitas, Martins, Marina Lobato
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood; Blood Donors; Blotting, Western; DNA, Viral - blood; HTLV-I Infections - diagnosis; HTLV-II Infections - diagnosis; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 - genetics; Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 - genetics; Humans; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Sensitivity and Specificity; TROPICAL MEDICINE
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849; 0037-8682
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822010000200001

HTLV-1/2 screening among blood donors commonly utilizes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA), followed by a confirmatory method such as Western blot (WB) if the EIA is positive. However, this algorithm yields a high rate of inconclusive results, and is expensive. Two qualitative real-time PCR assays were developed to detect HTLV-1 and 2, and a total of 318 samples were tested (152 blood donors, 108 asymptomatic carriers, 26 HAM/TSP patients and 30 seronegative individuals). The sensitivity and specificity of PCR in comparison with WB results were 99.4% and 98.5%, respectively. PCR tests were more efficient for identifying the virus type, detecting HTLV-2 infection and defining inconclusive cases. Because real-time PCR is sensitive and practical and costs much less than WB, this technique can be used as a confirmatory test for HTLV in blood banks, as a replacement for WB.