Transfusion transmitted infection

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A Transfusion transmitted infection (TTI) is a virus, parasite, or other potential pathogen that can be transmitted in donated blood through a transfusion to a recipient. The term is usually limited to known pathogens, but also sometimes includes agents such as Simian foamy virus which are not known to cause disease.

Preventing the spread of these diseases by blood transfusion is addressed in several ways. 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. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to the best known of the transfusion transmitted diseases, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Blood that is processed into medications by fractionation is treated in a multi-step process called pathogen inactivation that is analagous to pasteurization: it destroys most viruses and bacteria in the blood. Donors are still screened and tested.

[edit] Viruses

The most common diseases transmitted in blood transfusions are viral infections.

Many of these viruses are controlled through laboratory screening tests. These fall into three basic varieties: antibody tests, nucleic acid tests (NAT), and surrogate tests. Antibody tests look for the immune system's response to the infection. Nucleic acid tests look for the genetic material of the virus itself. The third variety are tests that are not specific to the disease but look for other related conditions.

High risk activities for transfusion transmitted infections vary, and the amount of caution used for screening donors varies based on how dangerous the disease is. Most of the viral diseases are spread by either sexual contact or by contact with blood, usually either drug use, accidental needle injuries among healthcare workers, unsterilized tattoo and body piercing equipment, or through a blood transfusion or transplant. Other vectors exist.

Whether a donor is considered to be at "too high" of a risk for a disease to be allowed to donate is sometimes controversial, especially for sexual contact. High risk sexual activity is defined in many different ways, but usually includes:

Sex in exchange for money or drugs.
Men who have sex with men, the most controversial criterion.
A recent history of sexually transmitted disease
Sex with a person who has had a positive test or was at high risk for a disease that can be spread in blood transfusions.

[edit] HIV

See also: HIV test

The virus that causes AIDS is the best known of the transfusion transmitted infections because of high profile cases such as Ryan White, a hemophiliac who was infected through factor VIII, a blood-derived medicine used to treat the disease.

The standard test for HIV is an enzyme immunoassay test that reacts with antibodies to the virus. This test has a window period where a person will be infected but not yet have an immune response. Other tests are used to look for donors during this period, specifically the p24 antigen test and nucleic acid testing.

In addition to the general risk criteria for viruses, blood donors are sometimes excluded if they have lived in certain parts of Africa where subtypes of HIV that are not reliably detected on some tests are found, specifically HIV group O. People who have been in prison for extended periods are also excluded for HIV risk.

[edit] Hepatitis A

Not a major concern, viremic donors are often obviously ill, not a chronic disease.

[edit] Hepatitis B

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.