Albumin batches and B19 parvovirus DNA

Background: B19 parvovirus (B19) maybe transmitted iatrogenically by blood, and its prevalence in blood donations is estimated at 1 in 3,300 to 1 in 50,000. As a large number of blood donations make up the plasma pools used to produce plasma derivatives, even a virus as rare as B19 in a population of blood donors may result in the frequent contamination of plasma batches. The percentage of albumin batches containing B19 DNA has never been determined. Study Design and Methods: The presence of B19 DNA was investigated by a polymerase chain reaction assay (with a primer pair in the VP1 region) in a total of 12 and 17 batches of 4- and 20-percent albumin, respectively, from two different manufacturers. Results: No B19 DNA was detected in the batches tested. Conclusion: The current fractionation process used to obtain these albumin preparations is seen to allow the efficient degradation and/or elimination of B19.