Transmission of yellow fever vaccine virus through blood transfusion and organ transplantation in the USA in 2021: report of an investigation

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TitleTransmission of yellow fever vaccine virus through blood transfusion and organ transplantation in the USA in 2021: report of an investigation
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsGould CV, Free RJ, Bhatnagar J, Soto RA, Royer TL, Maley WR, Moss S, Berk MA, Craig-Shapiro R, Kodiyanplakkal RPriya L, Westblade LF, Muthukumar T, Puius YA, Raina A, Hadi A, Gyure KA, Trief D, Pereira M, Kuehnert MJ, Ballen V, Kessler DA, Dailey K, Omura C, Doan T, Miller S, Wilson MR, Lehman JA, Ritter JM, Lee E, Silva-Flannery L, Reagan-Steiner S, Velez JO, Laven JJ, Fitzpatrick KA, Panella A, Davis EH, Hughes HR, Brault AC, St George K, Dean AB, Ackelsberg J, Basavaraju SV, Chiu CY, J. Staples E, Ajaimy M, Azzi YAl, Annambhotla P, Backenson B, Belden K, Colovai A, Coppock D, Du L, Estetter L, Le M, Martines RB, Pettengill M, Szymczak W, Vareechon C
JournalThe Lancet Microbe
Date Published08/2023
ISSN2666-5247
Abstract

In 2021, four patients who had received solid organ transplants in the USA developed encephalitis beginning 2–6 weeks after transplantation from a common organ donor. We describe an investigation into the cause of encephalitis in these patients. Methods From Nov 7, 2021, to Feb 24, 2022, we conducted a public health investigation involving 15 agencies and medical centres in the USA. We tested various specimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, intraocular fluid, serum, and tissues) from the organ donor and recipients by serology, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, metagenomic next-generation sequencing, and host gene expression, and conducted a traceback of blood transfusions received by the organ donor. Findings We identified one read from yellow fever virus in cerebrospinal fluid from the recipient of a kidney using metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Recent infection with yellow fever virus was confirmed in all four organ recipients by identification of yellow fever virus RNA consistent with the 17D vaccine strain in brain tissue from one recipient and seroconversion after transplantation in three recipients. Two patients recovered and two patients had no neurological recovery and died. 3 days before organ procurement, the organ donor received a blood transfusion from a donor who had received a yellow fever vaccine 6 days before blood donation. Interpretation This investigation substantiates the use of metagenomic next-generation sequencing for the broad-based detection of rare or unexpected pathogens. Health-care workers providing vaccinations should inform patients of the need to defer blood donation for at least 2 weeks after receiving a yellow fever vaccine. Despite mitigation strategies and safety interventions, a low risk of transfusion-transmitted infections remains.

DOI10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00170-2