VACCINE

Veterinaria Italiana • January 2004
Genotypes of Pestivirus RNA
detected in anti-influenza virus vaccines
for human use
Author information
Giangaspero M1, Vacirca G, Harasawa R, Buttner M,
Panuccio A, De Giuli Morghen C, Zanetti A, Belloli A, Verhulst A.
Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Veterinarie
Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi
Milan, Italy
Abstract
Nine polyvalent human influenza virus vaccines were tested by reverse
transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the presence of pestivirus
RNA. Samples were selected from manufacturers in Europe and the
USA. Three samples of the nine vaccines tested (33.3%) gave positive results
for pestivirus RNA. The 5’-untranslated genomic region sequence of
the contaminant pestivirus RNA was analysed based on primary nucleotide
sequence homology and on secondary sequence structures characteristic to
genotypes. Two sequences belonged to Pestivirus type-1 (bovine viral diarrhoea
virus [BVDV]) species, genotypes BVDV-1b and BVDV-1e. These
findings confirm previous reports, suggesting an improvement in preventive
measures against contamination of biological products for human use.
“Samples were selected
from manufacturers in Europe and the USA.
Three samples of the nine vaccines tested (33.3%)
gave positive results for pestivirus RNA.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20437384
Full Report (In Italian)
http://www.izs.it/vet_italiana/2004/40_1/7.pdf