Viral metagenomics in Brazilian multiply transfused patients with sickle cell disease as an indicator for blood transfusion safety

Author(s)

Nunes Valenca, I ^{[1, 2]} ; Silva-Pinto, A. C. ^[2] ; Araujo da Silva Junior, W. ^[3] ; Covas, D. Tadeu ^[2] ; Kashima, S. ^[2] ; Nanev Slavov, S. ^{[4, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Postgrad Program Clin Oncol Stem Cells & Cell The, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Blood Ctr Ribeirao Preto, Rua Tenente Catao Roxo 2501, BR-14051140 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Genet, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Internal Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: TRANSFUSION CLINIQUE ET BIOLOGIQUE; v. 27, n. 4, p. 237-242, NOV 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background and aim. - Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are submitted to multiple transfusions in order to increase the oxygen capacity of the blood, decrease blood viscosity, and suppress the sickling of the cells. Multiply transfused patients with SCD represent significant risk of acquiring parenterally transmitted infections. The analysis of the virome profile of high-risk multiply transfused patients with SCD can reveal the presence of parenterally transmitted viruses and therefore be used an indirect approach for evaluation of blood transfusion safety. Materials and methods. - Blood samples were collected from 45 patients with SCD receiving multiple transfusions and analyzed by metagenomic analyses. The samples were assembled in pools f which were submitted to nucleic acids extraction and sequencing by Illumina NextSeq 550 equipment. For bioinformatic analysis, we used a specific in-house developed pipeline specialized in identification of emerging viruses. Results. - The virome composition of SCD patients revealed the presence of commensal viruses represented by anelloviruses and Human Pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1, GB virus C). Contaminant viral sequences belonging to human lentiviruses (rev, env genes), cytomegalovirus and murine leukemia virus were also identified and are attributed to vectors used in the laboratory practice. No novel or unsuspected pathogenic viruses were identified. Conclusion. - This study evaluates for the first time the virome of multiply transfused patients with SCD. Exclusively genetic material of commensal viruses was annotated. Therefore, we believe that viral metagenomics applied in patients with high risk for acquiring parenterally transmitted infections can serve as a direct indicator for evaluation of transfusion safety. (C) 2020 Societe francaise de transfusion sanguine (SFTS). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/22009-3 - Activities of technical support in the collection of samples and molecular techniques in patients with sickle cell disease submitted to multiple transfusions
• Grantee: Roberta Maraninchi Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 17/23205-8 - Evaluation of the impact of emerging and reemerging viruses in the field of hemotherapy and stem cell transplantation by multiple-research approach
• Grantee: Svetoslav Nanev Slavov
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/07861-8 - Development of a bioinformatic pipeline for identification of emerging infectious diseases among patients in regimen of chronic transfusion
• Grantee: Ian Nunes Valença
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 18/15826-5 - Evaluation of the impact of emerging and reemerging viruses in the field of hemotherapy and stem-cell transplantation by multiple-research approach
• Grantee: Svetoslav Nanev Slavov
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 19/08528-0 - Application of bioinformatic procedures for identification of the impact of the viral infections in hemotherapy
• Grantee: Rafael dos Santos Bezerra
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master