NR AXLK
AU Eglin,R.; Soldan,K.; Newham,J.; Clewley,J.; Andrews,N.; Minor,P.; Gill,N.
TI Proposal for a Study of the Prevalence in the British Population of Abnormal Prions in Blood
QU International Conference - Prion 2007 (26.-28.9.2007) Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK - Book of Abstracts: Epidemiology, Risk Assessment and Transmission P04.109
IA http://www.prion2007.com/pdf/Prion Book of Abstracts.pdf
PT Konferenz-Poster
AB
Introduction: Current estimates of the prevalence of sub-clinical vCJD infection in the UK are largely based on a single, relatively small retrospective study of appendix/tonsil tissue. The National Anonymous Tonsil Archive (NATA) will provide additional information on prevalence in tonsil tissue. A large proportion of tonsils are from individuals born after the estimated peak of exposure to BSE (i.e. after 1993). The development of tests for PrPTSE in plasma now offers a potential alternative approach to obtaining prevalence estimates. Blood donors are broadly representative of the agedistribution of the general population (17-70 yrs), and include the ages where the incidence of vCJD has been highest (born 1961-1985).
Methods: We propose a prospective, unlinked anonymous survey of British blood donors, using available prototype assays for testing for PrPTSE in plasma. A sample size of ~50,000 donations should give an exact 95% confidence interval of ~100-350 on an observed prevalence of 200/million (i.e. 10 positives). A sample of ~5,000 non-British plasma samples will be tested as a negative control panel. Potential assays are being assessed through a tender and evaluation by NIBSC. The selection of screening assays, design of testing algorithms, and interpretation of test results is being overseen by the Expert Advisory Group on Laboratory Testing Strategy for Large Scale Abnormal Prion Studies.
Results: The study would provide estimates of blood-borne PrPTSE prevalence derived from reactivity to available prototype plasma-PrPTSE tests. These findings would have limitations with respect to estimating blood-borne vCJD infectivity, and total prevalence of sub-clinical vCJD infection, in the population.
Conclusion: Despite the limitations, the proposed study (given adequately performing tests - currently under evaluation) should generate information about detectable blood-borne PrPTSE that will be the first of its kind and may have implications for strategies to prevent person-to-person transmission of vCJD. This paper will present the study design and objectives in more detail.
AD R. Eglin, J. Newham, NHS Blood and Tissue, UK; K. Soldan, J. Clewley, N. Andrews, N. Gill, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, UK; P. Minor, National Institute of Biological Standards and Controls (NIBSC), UK
SP englisch
PO Schottland