Leukocyte reduction, plasma apheresis, and cytomegalovirus DNA levels in samples

Background: This study characterized cytomegalovirus DNA quantities following component processing, leukocyte reduction, and platelet apheresis and proteomic differences between whole blood units with and without CMV DNA. Methods: PCR was used to analyze blood segment samples and their subsequent components, plasma samples, whole blood derived/random platelet concentrates, and apheresis platelets units. Proteomic analysis was performed on CMV-positive and -negative samples. Results: Component and leukocyte filtration reduced the detectable levels of CMV DNA from 8% to 0.8% to 0%. No apheresis platelets contained CMV DNA. A bimodal distribution of viral loads (VL) was observed in CMV DNA positive samples with increased levels of haptoglobin protein and decreased amounts of D-dopachrome tautomerase in high versus low VL samples. Conclusions: This study quantitatively demonstrates the utility of leukocyte reduction for reducing CMV VL in normal blood and platelet donors and demonstrates protein differences between units containing low and high CMV DNA.