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Xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus (XMRV) and blood transfusion: report of the AABB interorganizational XMRV task force
Author(s) -
Klein Harvey G.,
Dodd Roger Y.,
Hollinger F. Blaine,
Katz Louis M.,
Kleinman Steven,
McCleary K. Kimberly,
Silverman Robert H.,
Stramer Susan L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/j.1537-2995.2010.03012.x
Subject(s) - transfusion medicine , health department , task force , medicine , family medicine , blood transfusion , library science , gerontology , public health , political science , immunology , pathology , public administration , computer science
I n October 2009, a report in the journal Science identified evidence of infection with the retrovirus xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus (XMRV) in the blood of two-thirds of 101 patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and in 3.7% of 218 healthy control subjects. This was not the first report of XMRV nor the first association of these viral sequences with human tissue. However, because this study recovered virus from lymphocytes, these findings raised concerns anew about a possible pathologic role of XMRV and its potential transmission by blood transfusion. As a result of this publication, in December 2009 the AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks) established an Interorganizational Task Force composed of representatives of blood collectors, government agencies, and notfor-profit organizations dedicated to CFS research and policy, supplemented with additional scientific consultants. The Task Force was charged with reviewing the available data on XMRV, recommending action to assess and if necessary mitigate the risk of transmitting XMRV through blood and cellular therapy products, and advising AABB about informing donors, recipients, physicians, and the general public regarding the risk of XMRV transmission.