USE OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-SERONEGATIVE BLOOD COMPONENTS FOR PREVENTION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION AFTER ALLOGENEIC BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, especially CMV pneumonia, is a serious event in immunocompromised individuals such as recipients of bone marrow transplantation. Since there is no effective treatment, prevention is the most effective way to control CMV infection. Blood transfusion is one potentially dangerous source of the virus. Screening for CMV negative donors is mandatory in order to provide blood components for these patients. We have screened 1, 827 donors for CMV antibody by using the gelatin particle agglutination test and ELISA. As it has been shown that the positivity rate is closely related to donor age, we tested mainly younger individuals. The results showed that the CMV antibody negative rate was 18.3%.