Update on Canine and Feline Blood Donor Screening for Blood-Borne Pathogens

Wardrop, K.J.; Birkenheuer, A.; Blais, M.C.; Callan, M.B.; Kohn, B.; Lappin, M.R.; Sykes, J.

In human blood collections, individual units of whole blood collected for transfusion purposes typically are screened for infectious agents. By contrast, economic factors in veterinary medicine often limit testing to the blood donor animals themselves. The consensus panel recommends a minimum of yearly testing of blood donors, with consideration of more frequent retesting for some pathogens in endemic areas and in donors with repeated exposure to risk factors (eg, tick exposure). The consensus panel agreed that prevention of infections by proper handling and storage of blood products techniques also should be considered, recommendations for which are included in the consensus statement.