INFECTION PROPHYLAXIS IN IMMUNOSUPPRESSED PATIENTS - PREVENTION OF TRANSFUSION-TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS

CMV infection is the most severe transfusion-transmitted infection in immunosuppressed patients, and must be prevented in high-risk subjects by the use of seronegative units or by the use if leucocyte-reduced u nits. The value of these methods has been shown in patients who are se ronegative for CMV. Allotransfusions may favor bacterial infections th rough negative immunomodulatory effects due to leucocytes. Finally, pa rvovirus can induce a more severe disease in immunosuppressed patients .