Blood-borne Infections Associated with Transfusion

1992 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul P. Ulrich ◽  
Girish N. Vyas
Keyword(s):  
Blood Supply ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infectious Complications ◽  
Blood Transfusions ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Homologous Blood Transfusion ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Attending Physicians

The epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the realization that transmission of human immunodeficiency virus is caused by homologous blood transfusion have changed the way physicians and their patients view the safety of hemotherapy. Considering that nearly four million patients receive the lifesaving benefits of blood transfusions every year in the United States, we need to recognize and reduce the inherent biological complications of this therapy. Currently, a major concern is the transmission of blood-borne infectious agents and the establishment of persistent infection in transfusion recipients, which is apparently facilitated by suppression of the recipient's hematopoietic and immune systems. Education of blood donors, patients, and attending physicians regarding infectious complications of transfusion is essential and remains the most effective procedure for making rational decisions. Before giving blood transfusions, astute physicians should calculate a risk/benefit ratio and communicate it to the patient or family. Potential recipients of transfusions can be assured that the blood supply is safer now than at any time in the past, although there is still a very small risk for the transmission of infectious agents that cause chronic diseases, such as hepatitis, AIDS, neuropathies, and leukemias. It is essential that everyone understands that the goal of a zero-risk blood supply is not attainable. Recent developments in molecular biology and biotechnology, however, provide opportunities for further reduction of infectious complications of blood transfusions.

BLOOD BANKS FACING HUNDREDS OF AIDS SUITS

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. A24-A24
Author(s):  
J. F. L.
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Blood Supply ◽  
Screening Test ◽  
The United States ◽  
Blood Bank ◽  
Legal Issue ◽  
Blood Transfusions ◽  
Blood Banks ◽  
Aids Virus

Blood bank officials in the United States are sounding an alarm because they are facing hundreds of lawsuits from people stricken with AIDS after receiving transfusions. Issue of Screening Test The suits generally involve transfusions received before mid-1985, when blood banks started using a screening test that detects antibodies to the AIDS virus in the blood. The central legal issue involves negligence: before the screening test was entirely in place, were the blood banks negligent in their efforts to keep the virus out of the blood supply? The blood banks. . . say the AIDS threat was not fully understood immediately and it was not always clear that the tests would be reliable. Moreover, they say it was often impractical to move more rapidly. While the test has made the nation's blood supply much safer, Federal experts at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta estimate that 12,000 people now living in the United States have been infected with the AIDS virus in blood transfusions. Of these, 2,170 adults and 177 children have developed AIDS so far.

scholarly journals Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome: case report

2003 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magaly Gemio Teixeira ◽  
Marcos Vinicius Perini ◽  
Carlos Frederico S. Marques ◽  
Angelita Habr-Gama ◽  
Desidério Kiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reliable Method ◽  
Intestinal Resection ◽  
Blood Transfusions ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Effective Technique ◽  
Chronic Anemia ◽  
Systemic Disorder ◽  
Multiple Blood ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome

The case of a patient with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome who is infected by acquired immunodeficiency syndrome virus due to multiple blood transfusions is presented. This case shows that although it is a rare systemic disorder, blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic anemia or gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients should be investigated by endoscopy, which is the most reliable method for detecting these lesions. The patient underwent gastroscopy and enteroscopy via enterotomy with identification of all lesions. Minimal resection of the larger lesions and string-purse suture of the smaller ones involving all the layers of the intestine were performed. The string-purse suture of the lesions detected by enteroscopy proved to be an effective technique for handling these lesions, avoiding extensive intestinal resection and stopping the bleeding. Effective management of these patients demands aggressive treatment and should be initiated as soon as possible to avoid risks involved in blood transfusions, as occurred in this case.

Child Health 2000: New Pediatrics in the Changing Environment of Children's Needs in the 21st Century

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 804-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Haggerty
Keyword(s):  
Support Groups ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Psychosocial Disorders ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Risk Assessment And Prevention ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Pediatric practice in the next millennium will require greater knowledge of new morbidities, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and social and behavioral disorders, reemergent old disorders, such as tuberculosis, and disorders rarely seen of late in the United States but now being brought here by recent immigrants, such as malaria and other parasitic diseases. Diversity in ethnic and cultural backgrounds and beliefs will continue to increase, and it will need to be understood to prevent and treat diseases of children effectively. Although the current antagonism toward immigrants may lead to a decrease in this particular source of diversity, changes in family structure—such as divorce, gay and lesbian couples as parents, and corporate pressure on families—will continue, requiring pediatricians to understand and to accept this diversity if they are to be the health care providers of children. The increased isolation of individuals from society and separation from families of origin will require pediatricians to be more active in communities and schools and to participate with other disciplines and social support groups. At the same time, the advancement of science and technology will continue to drive what the pediatrician does. Increased survival of children who previously had fatal illnesses will mean more emphasis on care of children who have chronic illnesses. Pediatricians will need to be partners with others in the exciting new fields of risk assessment and prevention of psychosocial disorders.

Perioperative blood transfusions and cancer recurrence.

1988 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 1348-1354 ◽  
Author(s):  
H S Wu ◽  
A G Little
Keyword(s):  
Natural Killer Cells ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
The Other ◽  
Blood Transfusions ◽  
Suppressor T Lymphocytes ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Worse Prognosis

This collective review addresses the issue of transfusion-induced immunosuppression as it relates to patients undergoing cancer surgery. Patients receiving perioperative blood transfusions have a significantly worse prognosis than patients undergoing cancer surgery without a perioperative transfusion. It is thought that this is because transfusions produce a nonspecific immunosuppression by increasing the number and/or activity of suppressor T lymphocytes, decreasing the number of natural killer cells, and inducing anti-idiotypic antibodies. This risk, particularly when considered with the other risks of transfusion such as hepatitis or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), suggests that criteria for transfusion of these patients should be stringent and related to an unequivocal need for replenishment of RBCs.

Women and IV Drugs: Parenteral and Heterosexual Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus

1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith B. Cohen ◽  
Laurie B. Hauer ◽  
Constance B. Wofsy
Keyword(s):  
Drug Users ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Heterosexual Transmission ◽  
Service Programs ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Specific Subgroup ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Most women diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the United States are either intravenous drug users (IVDUs) or sex partners of male IVDUs. Research that looks at “IVDUs with AIDS” as one category, and “women with AIDS” as another, may fail to provide adequate information about this specific subgroup. The authors summarize the results of several studies of the prevalence of HIV infection among IVDUs, and discuss the difficulty of estimating the number of women IVDUs, or partners of male IVDUs, infected with HIV. They consider differences between female and male IVDUs, and between women IVDUs and non-IVDUs, including economic status, pregnancy, and child-rearing responsibilities. They conclude with a series of policy recommendations concerning AIDS prevention and service programs targeting this specific population.

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