A lack of serologic evidence of transmission of Chlamydia pneumoniae by transfusion of buffy coat-depleted RBCs

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that a high percentage of blood donors harbor Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA and antigens within their PBMNCs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether recipients of RBC transfusions who were seronegative for C. pneumoniae before transfusion showed any evidence of seroconversion after transfusion. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients who were possible recipients of RBC transfusion and negative in a screen test for IgG antibodies against C. pneumoniae at the time of blood group determination were candidates to be included in the study. The patients were contacted 3.0 to 3.5 months after the blood group determination, and those who accepted to participate agreed that another venous blood sample could be taken. RESULTS: Among the patients who participated, 53 had become recipients of RBC transfusion (transfused group), and 51 later did not receive any RBC transfusion (control group). No significant change was found in IgG titer against C. pneumoniae between the first and the second sample from the same patient, in either the transfused group or the control group. CONCLUSION: In our study, which was limited to 53 seronegative recipients of RBC units from seropositive donors, we found no serologic evidence that C. pneumoniae could be transmitted by RBC transfusion.