EBV Prevalence in Umbilical Cord Blood

Background and Objectives: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment option in patients with hematologic malignancies, but suitable donors from bone marrow or peripheral blood source are lacking for many such patients. For this reason , umbilical cord blood was considered as a substitute for HSCT at 1988 and it is still currently in use as a novel source of transplantable hematopoietic stem cells. Unfortunately T cells present in cord blood are immature, and also have a low penetrance in the recipient. This leads to a delay in restoration of patient’s immune system and may cause an immunocompromised state in the recipients following transplantation of cord blood. On the other hand , EBV associated Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (EBV-PTLD) is a well-known serious and potentially life threatening complication of HSCT in immune suppressed recipients. This problem arises from proliferation of EBV infected B cells. Also EBV transmission through umbilical cord has been reported. This study was set to determine EBV prevalence in cord blood by means of RT-PCR and ELISA laboratory techniques.Materials and Methods: 250 cord blood samples were collected by simple random sampling from 2 sources of Akbarabady hospital and IBTO cord blood bank. Samples were taken from mothers with no history of genetic, infectious (Hepatitis and/or AIDS) disease or Diabetes. About 10 ml blood was drawn in EDTA containing tubes and was centrifuged to separate the buffy coat layer within 2 hours of collection and was tested for EBV presence by RT-PCR. Supernatant plasma was also transferred to separate microtubes for ELISA based detection of IgM and IgG against viral capside antigen (VCA). Results: Of 250 RT-PCR test samples,33 revealed suspicious results which all were finally confirmed to be negative following further Nested PCR testing, concluding that none of 250 specimens were infected by EBV genome. ELISA testing revealed IgG against VCA in 94% of the samples. All samples were negative for VCA IgM and 6% were negative for both antibodies.Conclusion: No EBV genome was detected by RT and Nested PCR in this study. Although further studies with larger sample sizes are indicated for more reliable EBV prevalence estimations. Results of serologic tests almost confirmed the similarity of EBV prevalence among pregnant women in this study and in adult population worldwide.

کلیدواژه ها:

EBV ، umbilical cord blood ، HSCT ، RT-PCR