Assessing Emerging Infectious Threats to Blood Safety for the Blood Disorders Community

Technologic advances in diagnostic testing, vaccinations, pathogen inactivation, and vigilant donor screening have greatly reduced the risk of transmitting pathogens through blood transfusion Nevertheless, transfusion-related infections and fatalities continue to be reported, and emerging pathogens continue to become an increasing threat to the blood supply This threat is even greater to patients with blood disorders, who are heavily transfused and rely on safe blood products. This article describes some of the emerging and re-emerging transfusion-transmitted pathogens that have increased in incidence in the U S in recent years. Peer-reviewed articles and agency websites were the sources of information The article focuses on the treatment of hereditary blood disorders including hemophilia and thalassemia, and hereditary bone marrow failure A coordinated approach to addressing blood safety and continued development of sensitive diagnostic testing arc necessary to reduce risk in an increasingly globalized society (Am J Prey Med 2010,38(4S) S468-S474) Published by Elsevier Inc on behalf of American Journal of Preventive Medicine