A Pilot Study on Presence of SARS-CoV-2-RNA in Iranian Blood Donors

Background: With the rapidly increasing incidence of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and detection severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in plasma, blood supply safety has become a main concern. Objectives: Due to some reports on RNAemia SARS-CoV-2-infected donors, this study examined presence SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic donors. Methods: In cross-sectional study, about 400 donors from Tehran Blood Transfusion Center with negative results for viral serological markers hepatitis B virus (HBV), C (HCV), human immunodeficiency (HIV) were included study. Moreover, all samples tested anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA (IgG) detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The Presence was identified by targeting RNA-dependent, polymerase (RdRp), N (nucleocapsid protein) genes using Real-Time PCR. Furthermore, RNase P gene used as an internal control. Results: test showed that 60 (15%) had nucleocapsid protein, 340 (85%) participants have not been exposed virus. cycle threshold (Ct) positive control RT-PCR (N) RdRP < 40 (CT = 20.37). (RNase gene) Ct 40. detected sample none regard, there no report transmission recipients yet. Conclusions: blood-borne seems be highly unlikely, screening is unnecessary among Preventive measures should adopted reduce theoretical risk transmitting COVID-19 cases.