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[The risk of prion contamination through the transfusion of cellular products]

Jean-Jacques Lefrère1

  • 1Institut national de la transfusion sanguine, Paris, France. jeanjacqueslefrere@wanadoo.fr

Transfusion Clinique Et Biologique : Journal De La Societe Francaise De Transfusion Sanguine
|May 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) can transmit through blood transfusions. Although no French cases are reported, past blood donors with vCJD pose a risk to recipients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Transfusion Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) transmission via blood transfusion is a recognized risk, established by UK cases involving infected packed red cells.
  • While France has not reported transfusion-transmitted vCJD, three French vCJD cases diagnosed in 2004 were blood donors, indicating potential risk to recipients.
  • The absence of a diagnostic assay hinders the identification of infected transfusion recipients and the implementation of targeted blood donation screening.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the established risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) transmission through blood transfusion.
  • To underscore the potential risk posed by past blood donors who developed vCJD in France.
  • To emphasize the challenges in diagnosing vCJD in transfusion recipients due to the lack of a suitable diagnostic assay.

Main Methods:

  • Review of established vCJD transmission risks based on UK transfusion cases.
  • Analysis of French vCJD cases to identify potential blood donors.
  • Assessment of diagnostic limitations for vCJD in transfusion recipients.

Main Results:

  • The risk of vCJD transmission through blood transfusion is scientifically established.
  • Three French vCJD cases from 2004 were identified as past blood donors, posing a potential risk to individuals who received their blood.
  • Current diagnostic methods are insufficient for identifying vCJD infection in transfusion recipients or for screening blood donations.

Conclusions:

  • Blood transfusion remains a potential route for vCJD transmission.
  • Proactive measures are crucial to mitigate vCJD risk in transfusion recipients, especially given diagnostic limitations.
  • Continued implementation and refinement of safety measures in the UK and France are essential to reduce vCJD contamination risk.

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