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Emerging infectious disease agents and their potential threat to transfusion safety
Susan L Stramer1, F Blaine Hollinger, Louis M Katz
1Scientific Support Office, American Red Cross, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877, USA. stramers@usa.redcross.org
Background:
Emerging infections have been identified as a continuing threat to human health. Many such infections are known to be transmissible by blood transfusion, while others have properties indicating this potential. There has been no comprehensive review of such infectious agents and their threat to transfusion recipient safety to date.
Study Design And Methods:
The members of AABB's Transfusion Transmitted Diseases Committee reviewed a large number of information sources in order to identify infectious agents with actual or potential risk of transfusion transmission now or in the future in the US or Canada; with few exceptions, these agents do not have available interventions to reduce the risk of such transmission. Using a group discussion and writing process, key characteristics of each agent were identified, researched, recorded and documented in standardized format. A group process was used to prioritize each agent on the basis of scientific/epidemiologic data and a subjective assessment of public perception and/or concern expressed by regulatory agencies.
Results:
Sixty-eight infectious agents were identified and are described in detail in a single Supplement to TRANSFUSION. Key information will also be provided in web-based form and updated as necessary. The highest priorities were assigned to Babesia species, Dengue virus, and vCJD.
Conclusion:
The information is expected to support the needs of clinicians and transfusion medicine experts in the recognition and management of emerging infections among blood donors and blood recipients.
Insights
A comprehensive review identified 68 emerging infectious agents posing risks for blood transfusion transmission. This information aids clinicians in managing transfusion-transmitted infections and ensuring blood recipient safety.
Area of Science:
- Transfusion Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Emerging infections represent a significant and ongoing threat to global health.
- Blood transfusion poses a potential transmission route for numerous infectious agents.
- No prior comprehensive review has assessed the risk of emerging infectious agents to transfusion recipient safety.
Framework:
- AABB's Transfusion Transmitted Diseases Committee conducted a thorough review of scientific literature and data.
- Infectious agents with current or future transfusion transmission risk in the US and Canada were identified.
- Agents lacking available interventions for risk reduction were prioritized.
Implementation:
- A systematic process of information gathering, research, and documentation was employed.
- Key characteristics of each identified agent were recorded in a standardized format.
- Agents were prioritized based on scientific evidence, epidemiology, public perception, and regulatory concerns.
Implications:
- Sixty-eight infectious agents are detailed, with highest priority given to Babesia species, Dengue virus, and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).
- Information will be accessible via a supplement and continuously updated web-based resources.
- This resource will enhance the ability of clinicians and transfusion medicine specialists to recognize and manage emerging infections in blood donors and recipients.
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