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Emerging viruses in blood transfusion
1Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, UK. jpa1000@cam.ac.uk
Vox Sanguinis
|August 12, 2000
Summary
Emerging viruses are regularly discovered, but studies show none are currently relevant to transfusion safety. Rigorous assessment of transmissibility, pathogenicity, and screening is crucial for blood supply safety.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Transfusion Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Technological advancements facilitate the discovery of novel viruses.
- Assessing the transfusion relevance of new infectious agents is critical for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the significance of newly identified viruses in the context of blood transfusion.
- To determine transmissibility, pathogenicity, prevalence, persistence, and screening assay availability for emerging viruses.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies on four newly identified viruses since 1995.
- Assessment of transmissibility by transfusion, pathogenicity, and prevalence in blood donors.
- Evaluation of virus persistence and the availability of screening assays.
Main Results:
- Three of the four identified viruses (GBV-C/HGV, TTV, SEN-V) have not been proven to cause post-transfusion hepatitis.
- Human Herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is linked to Kaposi's sarcoma and immunodeficiency-related tumors, with transmission demonstrated via organ transplantation, not transfusion.
- Senvir (SEN-V) has been proposed as a cause of non-A-E hepatitis, but supporting data is lacking.
Conclusions:
- Currently, no emerging viruses have been definitively linked to transfusion-related risks.
- Ongoing vigilance and research are necessary to ensure blood transfusion safety against novel viral threats.