Articles

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CBSResearchUnit2_March2013Eng.pdf

The chance of a blood recipient becoming infected with HIV, hepatitis C or hepatitis B from a blood transfusion is extremely low. However, because blood is derived from people and because tests will
never be 100 per cent reliable, the risk will never be zero.

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When the original version (dated 2009-09-28) of the National Plan for the Management of Shortages of Labile Blood Components was sent out for external consultation, it was criticized because it did not include a plan for patients requiring massive transfusion. Many examples cited were the lack of preparedness for Hurricane Katrina and although best intentions on behalf of the decision makers present, many inappropriate decisions were made.

IgA Deficiency
IgA deficiency is the most common human immunodeficiency. Although the majority of IgA deficient individuals are asymptomatic, some IgA deficient individuals have a higher prevalence of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infections. From a transfusion medicine perspective, the presence of anti-IgA in an IgA deficient recipient is a possible cause of anaphylactic transfusion reactions. Approximately 20% of anaphylactic transfusion reactions in a Caucasian population may be associated with anti-IgA in IgA deficient recipients¹.