Evaluation of CAPTURER CMV Solid Phase Testing Over the Allowable Shelf-Life of Red Blood Cells (Adenine–Saline Added)

Abstract

Background:CAPTURER CMV (IMMUCOR Inc., Norcross, GA) is a solid-phase screening test used to detect IgM and IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV). CAPTURER CMV is licensed for testing whole blood (WB) in citrate phosphate dextrose (CPD) preserved segments of units of red blood cells (RBC) only up to 7 days of storage. We determined if CAPTURER CMV could produce consistent results in CPD preserved WB segments from RBC adenine–saline added (ASA) for their 42 day shelf-life. Methods: Ten CMV-seropositive and 10 CMV-seronegative RBC (ASA) tested by CAPTURER CMV during the first week of storage were studied. Segments were tested weekly for 6 weeks. Results: All 10 units that initially tested as CMV-seropositive remained strongly seropositive. All 10 units initially CMV-seronegative, remained seronegative. Conclusion: CAPTURER CMV testing provides consistent results over the entire shelf-life of RBC (ASA).