Decreasing parvovirus B19 and hepatitis A nucleic acid test positivity rates in Canadian plasma donors following the initiation of COVID‐19 restriction in March 2020

Abstract Background and Objectives In Canada, plasma sent for fractionation is tested for both parvovirus B19 (B19V) and hepatitis A virus (HAV). This study compared positivity rates of B19 and HAV nucleic acid tests (NATs) in Canadian plasma samples for the pre‐COVID‐19 restriction era (2015 to end of February 2020 Q1 2020) and the post‐COVID‐19 restriction era. Materials and Methods Pooled EDTA plasma specimens were tested within 24 months of blood draw using the Procleix Panther System (Grifols Diagnostic Solutions Inc, San Diego, CA, USA) for B19V and HAV detection. Reactive pools were resolved by individual specimen testing. Results Between 1 January 2015, and 31 March 2022, 3,928,619 specimens from Canadian plasma donors were tested for B19V. For the same period, 3,922,954 specimens were tested for HAV. To account for a lag in specimen testing for up to 24 months, the data were divided into: (1) a pre‐pandemic period (1 January 2015–31 March 2020; B19V tested n = 2,412,701, B19V NAT‐positive n = 240 0.01%, HAV tested n = 2,407,036, HAV NAT‐positive n = 26 0.001%); (2) a two‐year mixed‐impact period (1 April 2020–31 March 2022; B19V tested n = 968,250, B19V NAT‐positive n = 14 0.001%, HAV tested n = 968,250, HAV NAT‐positive n = 2 0.0002%); and (3) a pandemic‐impact period (1 April 2022–31 March, 2023; B19V tested n = 597,668, B19V NAT‐positive n = 3 0.0005%, HAV tested n = 597,668, HAV NAT‐positive n = 1 0.0002%). Conclusion The percentage of B19V‐ and HAV‐positive donations was significantly reduced from the pre‐pandemic period to the pandemic‐impact period.