Prestorage leukoreduction for prevention of transfusion-transmitted CMV infection - current AABB recommendations

On July 24th, 2002, the AABB has issued ASSOCIATION BULLETIN #02-4 Re: Update on Provision of CMV-Reduced-Risk Cellular Blood Components

This bulletin addresses the provision of CMV-reduced-risk cellular blood components. According to the bulletin, "although new strategies (e.g., surveillance and preemptive therapy approaches) may reduce the morbidity of CMV infection in some groups of patients, avoidance of transfusion transmitted CMV remains an important goal for high risk recipient populations. It is recommended that hospital transfusion services, in conjunction with their transfusion committees and medical services responsible for the care of "at-risk" patients, review internal policies on use of prestorage leukocyte reduced blood components for prevention of transfusion transmitted CMV. Furthermore, given the better ability to control leukocyte reduction processes available when the technique is applied prior to component storage, facilities are encouraged to ensure that prestorage rather than bedside leukocyte reduction is utilized in providing CMV-reduced-risk components because of the serious implications of CMV disease."

Editor's Comment: Two links to past e-Network discussions regarding minimizing the risk of transfusion transmitted CMV are as follows:

• Transfusion support with RBC and plateletpheresis units for patients who are post auto/-allo BMT or solid organ transplantation      
• Who considers leukoreduced cellular blood products equivalent to those made from CMV seronegative donors?

In light of past e-network discussions, are colleagues now following the recommendation made in this AABB bulletin?

Submit comments to the e-Network Forum at enetworkforum@cbbsweb.org

Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Senior Editor & Moderator

W. Tait Stevens, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator

Elizabeth M. St. Lezin, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Associate Editor & Moderator