Transfusion–transmitted infection
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A Transfusion transmitted infection is a virus, parasite, or other potential pathogen that can be transmitted in donated blood. The term is usually limited to causes of disease, but also sometimes includes agents such as Simian foamy virus which are not known to cause disease. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the best known of these agents.
Preventing the spread of these diseases takes several forms. In many cases, the blood is tested for the pathogen, sometimes with several different methodologies. Donors of blood are also screened for signs and symptoms of disease and for activities that might put them at risk for infection. If a local supply is not safe, blood may be imported from other areas.
Viruses
- HIV test
- Rigorous tests exist
- High risk groups excluded
Hepatitis A (E?)
- Not a major concern, viremic donors are often obviously ill, not a chronic disease.
Hepatitis B (D?)
- The first virus routinely screened in blood donations.
- Delta agent not screened for, since it is a superinfection of Hepatitis B and cannot exist alone.
- Often silent infection
- Most likely significant TTI in developed countries
Alanine transaminase (ALT)
- Used as a surrogate for other Hepatitis testing, losing favor now that HCV tests have improved
Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV I/II)
- "HTLV III"
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Not relevant unless recipient's immune system is compromised (i.e. infants).
- is Japanese encephalitis a possible TTI?
- Pool vs. individual testing.
Simian foamy virus (SFV)
- Not known to cause disease, recent studies
- Donors screened
- No demonstrated transmission, hypothetical risk
- No resurgence of disease
Malaria (Plasmodia spp.)
- Tests exist, but they're not very good.
- Endemic in many areas of the world.
- Only relevant for red blood cell transfusions.
- New test in use
- Donors screened, problem for donors who have been to Iraq.
- Does not survive at refrigerated temperatures
- Used as test for high risk sexual behavior
Other bacteria
Skin flora
Bacteremia and platelets
- Testing
- Part of the reason that platelet shelf life is so short
- "Mad Cow"
- UK imported plasma for transfusion in the early 2000's