High prevalence of cytomegalovirus DNA in plasma samples of blood donors in connection with seroconversion

BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is considered to latently infect blood cells. Transfusion-transmitted infection (TT-CMV) of immunocompromised patients occurs despite the use of CMV-seronegative or leukoreduced units. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The prevalence of CMV DNA in plasma was investigated in 82 blood donors who had previously been seronegative for CMV and showed anti-CMV immunoglobulin G for the first time, 598 blood donors who were seropositive for at least 1 year, and 150 seronegative blood donors. In a second part of the study, the overall prevalence of CMV DNA in blood donations was assessed based on 31,745 donations. RESULTS: CMV DNA was repeatedly detected i