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Provision of cellular blood components to CMV‐seronegative patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the UK: survey of UK transplant centres
Author(s) -
Morton S.,
Peniket A.,
Malladi R.,
Murphy M. F.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
transfusion medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1365-3148
pISSN - 0958-7578
DOI - 10.1111/tme.12461
Subject(s) - serostatus , medicine , cytomegalovirus , transplantation , transmission (telecommunications) , blood transfusion , immunology , stem cell , intensive care medicine , viral disease , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , viral load , herpesviridae , biology , electrical engineering , genetics , engineering
SUMMARY Objectives To identify current UK practice with regards to provision of blood components for cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐seronegative, potential, allogeneic stem cell recipients of seronegative grafts. Background Infection with CMV remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (aSCT). CMV transmission has been a risk associated with the transfusion of blood components from previously exposed donors, but leucocyte reduction has been demonstrated to minimise this risk. In 2012, the UK Advisory Committee for the Safety of Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) recommended that CMV‐unselected components could be safely transfused without increased risk of CMV transmission. Methods We surveyed UK aSCT centres to establish current practice. Results Fifteen adult and seven paediatric centres (75%) responded; 22·7% continue to provide components from CMV‐seronegative donors. Reasons cited include the continued perceived risk of CMV transmission by blood transfusion, its associated morbidity and concerns regarding potential for ambiguous CMV serostatus in seronegative potential transplant recipients due to passive antibody transfer from CMV‐seropositive blood donors, leading to erroneous donor/recipient CMV matching at transplant. Conclusions The survey demonstrated a surprisingly high rate (22.7%) of centres continuing to provide blood components from CMV‐seronegative donors despite SaBTO guidance.