For some years, public interest has focused on transfusion-transmitted
HIV. German blood donors are now selected and show only very low inci
dences in HIV and hepatitis. Only one per million donors seems to tran
smit HIV. The remaining risk of posttransfusion hepatitis is estimated
to range between 1:10,000 and 1:100,000. Some new diagnostic tests mi
ght re duce the danger of transfusion-transmitted infections. Screenin
g donors for anti-HBc is a well accepted tool to decrease post-transfu
sion hepatitis B. The HIV-p24-Ag test is expensive and only of doubtfu
l value. Donor recruitment should be improved in future.