CJD: Transfusions may carry higher risk
The risk of the human form of BSE - mad cow disease - being transmitted through blood transfusions may be considerably higher than previously thought, it emerged today.
Tests at Britain's Institute of Animal Health show that one in six animals given blood from sheep infected with a similar disease go on to develop the illness, suggesting that there is an ‘‘appreciable’’ risk to humans, The Guardian reported.
The Department of Health told PA News that it was considering barring people who had previously received blood transfusions from giving blood - something which could affect one in 10 donors.
And a spokesman said more blood plasma may have to be imported from abroad in order to avoid possible shortages in supplies as a result of the new discovery.
Previously, the Government had described the risk of transmission of variant CJD through blood transfusion as ‘‘theoretical’’.
Around two million people in England and Wales donate blood to the National Blood Service, which needs around 10,000 units a day in order to supply hospitals carrying out transfusions.
All blood given to humans already has white cells removed in a process known as leuco-depletion because they are regarded as the most likely carriers of vCJD.
And several other measures have already been taken to reduce the potential level of risk.
The British Department of Health spokesman said: ‘‘These findings appear to justify the precautionary approach taken by the Department of Health to reduce the risk of vCJD transmission through blood and surgical instruments.
‘‘Our assessment has been that the blood of vCJD patients may contain transmissible levels of infectivity before clinical signs of disease are apparent.
‘‘While the measures taken already have reduced these risks - such as leuco-depletion of blood and modernisation of NHS decontamination facilities - the UK expert committee on the microbiological safety of blood and tissues for transplantation (MSBT) is actively reviewing other possible ways in which the unknown risk from vCJD in blood might be reduced even further.
‘‘These possibly include the importation of fresh frozen plasma, the possible exclusion of people who have received blood transfusions from giving blood and work on reducing the plasma component of blood platelets.
‘‘The review involves detailed risk assessments about the possible impact of such measures on secondary transmission of vCJD and the impact on the UK blood supply.
‘‘In the case of fresh frozen plasma, the review is looking at the need for confidence in the viral inactivation techniques used for non-UK plasma and the availability of sustainable supplies.
‘‘Decisions on some of these measures will be taken later this year.’’
