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Background The ambient exposure does not always reflect the internal levels of pollution absorbed in the body. While human biomonitoring (HBM) could provide a valid estimate of exposure extent, it is usually an expensive and a heavily manpowered enterprise. Using samples collected during blood donations for HMB may provide a more efficient platform for a routine biomonitoring. Methods The current study is aimed to explore the feasibility of using the national blood banking system for the purposes of HBM, to compare between residents of a suspected polluted area in northern Israel (Haifa Bay) to the rest of the country. Specifically, we will assemble a geographically representative sample of blood donors residing in the study area and of the general population, to test for four industry and traffic-related metals: lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr). Samples of whole blood from donors will be tested in the Laboratory of Public Health Services managed by the Ministry of Health. The information on donors’ biomarkers levels will be further linked with the air pollution and meteorological data assessed at the location of the blood collection sites (short-term exposure) and donors’ permanent address (long-term exposure), as recorded by the monitoring stations spread throughout Israel and the satellite-based exposure models. The association between biomarkers and ambient environmental exposures will be assessed. The samples’ collection is planned for 2 years of 2020–2021. Discussion The information collected in this study could lead to environmental regulations within Haifa Bay area aimed to prevent exposure to high levels of hazardous chemicals.

Background In 2005, Latvia lifted the ban on blood donation for men who have sex with men (MSM). The prevalence of HIV infection in blood donations since then has been stable (around 0.02%), though it is higher than the European average (0.009% in 2006). We aim at describing the MSM who report that their last HIV test was done while donating blood (WDB) to approach the role of MSM in the donor blood safety.

Blood donations in the US are routinely screened for markers of human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV). Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HTLV-1 and -2 infection from the US Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study (REDS-II) Transfusion-Transmitted Viral Infection (TTVI) Rate and Risk Factor Study are reported. Among 14,809,334 blood donations screened during 2011-2012, 516 HTLV confirmed seropositive cases were identified, with an overall prevalence of 3.5 infections per 1,0 donations (95% CI: 3.2-3.8). A case-control study of risk factors from 90 donors with serology-confirmed HTLV-1 infection, 102 with HTLV-2 (cases), and 1,587 donors with false-positive results (controls) was conducted. Frequencies and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) from separate multivariable logistic regression analyses for HTLV-1 and -2 cases compared to controls are reported. Mean age was 48.0 (SD: 12.4), 52.3 (SD: 11.0) and 41.7 (SD: 15.7) years for HTLV-1, HTLV-2 cases and controls, respectively. Being a first-time donor, older, non-white, non-Hispanic female were significant demographic factors associated with both infections. HTLV-1 cases were more likely than controls to be Black (AOR: 13.3, 95% CI: 6.1-29.2), born outside of the US (AOR: 8.6, 95% CI: 4.0-18.4), have migrated (family or self) from an endemic area (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2-2.7), report sex with an IDU (AOR: 10.9, 95% CI: 3.6-33.4) or have multiple partners (AOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.5-6.1). HTLV-2 cases were more likely to be Black (AOR: 15.4, 95% CI: 6.9-34.3), Native Americans (AOR: 10.7, 95% CI: 1.5-77.0), report sex with an IDU (AOR: 27.2, 95% CI: 9.7-75.8) or have multiple partners (AOR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.5-5.7). US blood donors with HTLV-1 or -2 infection present with the known risk factors. Migration from endemic areas is mainly associated with HTLV-1 infection, while HTLV-2 is associated with Native American donors. Sexual risk behavior and IDU continue to be risk factors for both viruses.

HIV indeterminate serology in a Portuguese blood donor population – review of seven years Fernanda Leite,1 Francisco Dias,1 Carla Ferreira,1 Adelina Marques,1 Fátima Oliveira,1 and Ana Mota1 1Clinical Haematology, Hospital Santo António, Porto, Portugal Corresponding author. Fernanda Leite: fernandajtleite@hotmail.com Supplement 2006 International Meeting of The Institute of Human Virology http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1742-4690-3-S1-info.pdf Conference 2006 International Meeting of The Institute of Human Virology 17–21 November 2006 Baltimore, USA Other Sections▼ Background Results Conclusion Background To study the meaning of HIV indeterminate serology (HIVi), evaluating the deferral criteria of HIV screening test, we looked for donors (D) whose blood donations (BD) were discarded for HIVi from 1/1/1999 till 31/12/2005. The test system of blood donations is Prism Abbott Anti-HIV 1/2; HIV supplemental test was New Lav-Blot I/II-Bio-Rad till 2002 and Inno-Lia™ HIV I/II-Innogenetics afterwards. We perform a NAT test in all single donation since 2000, detecting HIV-1 and HCV RNA; since 2/2004 we perform Procleix® Ultrio™ Assay. Grey zone (GZ) for HIV screening test means 20% inferior to the cutoff (ICO). D that have been deferred for HIV serology but didn't obey to these criteria were excluded. Results In seven years, we find in a body of 25 024 D, 145 with HIVi; 8 were excluded and 18 had no follow-up. 64 D showed a confirmed result and 55 D didn't confirm. 77 cases had the supplemental test negative, 52 showed an indeterminate pattern and one a positive pattern. This case became negative after 1 year of follow-up. None of D seroconverted. 50 cases of the indeterminate supplemental test have occurred before 2002. None of BD or D had a reactive NAT test. The ICO value showed a direct relation with the confirmation rate. Conclusion We found 0,58% indeterminate HIV donors, 41,6% in GZ ICO and 54% didin't confirm. ICO hadn't shown predictive value for HIV infection. A positive supplemental test in a low prevalence population may not correspond to HIV infection. Inno-Lia™ HIV I/II showed a specificity of 92,9% compared to 47,4% of New Lav-Blot I/II. GZ in anti-HIV test hasn't brought more security. There isn't HIV-1 infection without a NAT test reactive and we save 23,8% of HIVi donors. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Articles from Retrovirology are provided here courtesy of BioMed Central