Pathogen Reduction: The State of the Science in 2019

Abstract

In the past 30 years, transfusion safety has increased substantially and blood transfusion is now a safer procedure than at any time in the past. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of pathogen reduction, which is the new paradigm in transfusion safety. Specifically, we describe the various processes and technologies that are capable of diminishing or neutralizing infectious threats, including those that are not addressed or may not be detected by standard screening techniques. A special emphasis is placed on recent developments that are likely to impact patient care in 2019 and beyond.

Keywords: Blood transfusion; Pathogen reduction; Plasma transfusion; Platelet transfusion; Red blood cell transfusion; Transfusion-transmitted infection.