RISK OF INFECTION IN HEMOTHERAPY

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.