Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2026
Treatment of Platelet Products with Riboflavin and UV Light: Effectiveness Against High Titer Bacterial Contamination
Published on: August 24, 2015
Virus safety of human blood, plasma, and derived products
1Friedrich Loeffler Institute for Medical Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Martin Luther Strasse 6, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany. guetler@uni-greifswald.de
Abstract:
The reconstitution of blood and its components is hampered by factors of compatibility, availability, and the risk of transmission of infectious diseases. Protozoal agents such as plasmodium malariae and trypanosoma cruzi are only regionally relevant. Bacterial transmissions are easy to prevent and treat. Antibody, antigen, and nucleic acid screening have been implemented to prevent transmission of blood-borne viruses. Transfusion-relevant viruses include hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T leukemia virus (HTLV-I), and in certain circumstances, parvovirus B19, hepatitis A virus (HAV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Of great concern is the possible transmission of prion protein causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathy. Of future interest will be whether other viruses such as Nipah and Hendra virus are blood-borne and whether viruses such as TT, SEN, and GBV-C are involved in diseases or their progression, while not causing hepatitis.
Insights
Blood transfusions face challenges from infectious disease transmission, including viruses like HBV, HCV, and HIV. Current screening methods mitigate many risks, but emerging concerns include prion diseases and other novel blood-borne pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Blood component reconstitution is limited by compatibility, availability, and infectious disease transmission risks.
- While protozoal and bacterial transmissions are manageable, viral pathogens pose significant transfusion safety concerns.
- Screening technologies have advanced, but the threat of novel or difficult-to-detect infectious agents persists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the spectrum of infectious agents transmissible via blood transfusion.
- To highlight current screening strategies and their effectiveness against known transfusion-relevant pathogens.
- To identify emerging infectious disease threats and areas for future research in transfusion safety.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of blood-borne pathogens and transfusion safety practices.
- Analysis of current antibody, antigen, and nucleic acid screening techniques.
- Discussion of established and potential transfusion-transmitted infections.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are key transfusion-relevant viruses.
- Other viruses like HTLV-I, parvovirus B19, HAV, and CMV present risks under specific circumstances.
- Prion protein transmission causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathy is a significant concern, alongside potential future threats from viruses like Nipah and Hendra.
Conclusions:
- Despite advancements in screening, transfusion-transmitted infections remain a critical safety issue.
- Ongoing vigilance and research are necessary to address both established and emerging infectious agents.
- Future transfusion safety strategies must adapt to evolving virology and pathogen detection capabilities.
