Risks of blood transfusion.
OBJECTIVE
To review the current status of risks of blood transfusion.
English-speaking literature, literature search using key works, human data, and follow-up with key bibliographic citations.


CONCLUSIONS
Substantial advances have been achieved in blood safety during the last 20 yrs, particularly for transfusion-transmitted viral infections. Currently, the most serious known risks from blood transfusion are administrative error (leading to ABO-incompatible blood transfusion), transfusion-related acute lung injury, and bacterial contamination in platelet products. Emerging pathogens, such as West Nile virus infection emphasize the need for implementation of proactive strategies, such as pathogen inactivation technologies, as well as reactive strategies, such as nucleic acid testing, to ensure continued advances in blood safety.
Goodnough
Lawrence T
LT
Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA. goodnough@pathbox.wustl.edu
D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D017708:Leukocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission