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. 2017 Nov;96(47):e8561.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000008561.

Factors influencing the virological testing of cornea donors

Tobias Röck  1 , Robert Beck, Stefan Jürgens, Karl Ulrich Bartz-Schmidt, Matthias Bramkamp, Sebastian Thaler, Daniel Röck
Affiliations

Factors influencing the virological testing of cornea donors

Tobias Röck et al. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Nov.

Abstract

To assess the influence of donor, environment, and logistical factors on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors.Data from 670 consecutive cornea donors were analyzed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the influence of different factors on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors.The mean annual rate of donors with serology-reactive or not evaluable result was 14.8% (99 of 670) (range 11.9%-16.9%). The cause of donor death by cancer increased the risk of serology-reactive or not evaluable result (P = .0300). Prolonged time between death and post mortem blood removal was associated with a higher rate of serology-reactive or not evaluable result (P < .0001). Mean monthly temperature including warmer months, differentiating between septic and aseptic donors, sex, and donor age had no significant impact on the results of virological testing of blood samples from cornea donors.The cause of donor death by cancer and a prolonged time between death and post mortem blood removal seem to be mainly responsible for serology-reactive or not evaluable result of blood samples from cornea donors. The percentage of discarded corneas caused by serology-reactive or not evaluable result may be reduced by shortening the period of time between death and post mortem blood removal.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean annual rate of donors with serology-reactive or not evaluable result. The mean annual rate of donors with serology reactive or not evaluable result was 14.8% (range 11.9%–16.9%).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mean monthly rate of serology-reactive or not evaluable result and mean monthly temperature. Mean monthly temperature including warmer months (May, June, July, August, and September) did not increase the risk of serology-reactive or not evaluable result (P = .5).
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