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Emerging infectious disease issues in blood safety
M E Chamberland1, H J Alter, M P Busch
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. mchamberland@cdc.gov
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|August 4, 2001
Summary
Blood safety has improved due to better donor screening and viral inactivation, but new infectious agents still pose risks. Nucleic acid testing enhances detection of recent infections, though vigilance against emerging threats is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Transfusion Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Transfusion-transmitted infections have significantly decreased over the past 20 years.
- Advances in donor screening, testing, and viral inactivation of plasma derivatives have contributed to this decline.
- Conventional serologic tests may miss very recent viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the ongoing vulnerabilities of the blood supply to emerging infectious agents.
- To discuss the challenges posed by newly discovered viruses and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
- To emphasize the need for continuous improvement in blood safety measures.
Main Methods:
- Review of advancements in donor screening and testing technologies.
- Evaluation of viral inactivation techniques for plasma derivatives.
- Identification of emerging infectious agents as potential threats to blood supply safety.
Main Results:
- Substantial declines in transfusion-transmitted infections have been observed.
- Nucleic acid testing (NAT) improves detection of recent viral infections.
- New hepatitis viruses and transmissible spongiform encephalopathies represent emerging risks.
Conclusions:
- While blood safety has improved, the supply remains vulnerable to new and reemerging infections.
- Emerging infectious agents, including novel hepatitis viruses and TSE agents, present unique challenges.
- Ongoing research and enhanced testing strategies are essential to maintain blood supply safety.
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