This component is rarely used at PMH since the availability of current leuko-reduction filters. Encourage the use of leuko-filtered blood instead of CMV antibody-negative blood whenever possible. In many parts of the campus this practice has become well-accepted. For example, the bone marrow transplant patients at CMC always use leukofiltered blood instead of CMV testing. Leukofiltration works to prevent CMV by removing WBCs: CMV is carried in the white cells. FFP and cryoprecipitate need not be either CMV tested or leukofiltered because they contain no viable white blood cells. Suitable leukofiltration is available for both RBC components and platelets. Granulocyte concentrates cannot be leukofiltered so the donor must be CMV antibody negative if CMV infection is a concern.
If a physician insists on using CMV negative blood during the off hours, go ahead and approve it if the appropriate CMV negative component is available and if the patient is indeed at risk for CMV exposure. Patients who should be protected from CMV exposure include:
Let the daytime resident know when you have had to approve CMV negative blood and follow-up can occur on whether leukofiltration can be substituted in the future.
Remember that approximately 75% of Texas blood donors test CMV antibody positive, so CMV antibody negative components, especially platelets are always in short supply and may not be available at all.
Return to Special Components Table of
Contents
Return to Transfusion Medicine Table of
Contents
Return to Call Manual Table of
Contents