Abstract
BackgroundDespite vast improvements in transfusion services in sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade, there remain serious concerns on the safety and adequacy of the blood supply across the region.ObjectiveThis review paper ascertains the role of pathogen reduction technology (PRT) in improving blood safety and supply adequacy in the region.MethodThe state of blood safety in sub-Saharan Africa was reviewed. Meetings, seminars and correspondence were undertaken with key clinicians, scientists and professional bodies in the region, including the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa, to examine the suitability of PRT for improving the safety of whole blood transfusion, a prevalent transfusion format in the region.ResultsExisting literature suggests that combining PRT with current blood safety measures (such as serology) would improve the safety and adequacy of the blood supply for transfusions in sub-Saharan Africa. This was echoed by the findings of the stakeholder meetings.ConclusionFollowing a detailed appraisal of two leading PRT systems, the Mirasol® PRT System and the Cerus S-303 System, we suggest that companies conduct comprehensive toxicological evaluation of the agents used for PRT and publish this in the scientific literature. We also recommend that the safety and efficacy of these technologies should be established in a randomised clinical trial conducted in sub-Saharan Africa.
Highlights
The United Nations Millennium Declaration, issued in 2000, led to the establishment of eight international development goals, which became known as the Millennium Development Goals.[1]
This additional screening test is usually too expensive for the limited budgets of African blood services. Another major difference between blood transfusion in lowand middle-income countries and high-income countries is that only 41.2% of all collections in Africa (1.4 million of 3.4 million) were transfused as components in 2010.9 there is increased use of components in sub-Saharan Africa, with the greatest need being for red blood cells (RBCs), it is expected that whole blood transfusions and red cell concentrates will continue to be the most requested units in the near future.[10,12]
The aim of this review was to determine the suitability of pathogen reduction technology (PRT) for improving the safety of whole blood transfusions in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as for improving the adequacy of the blood supply available for transfusions
Summary
This review paper ascertains the role of pathogen reduction technology (PRT) in improving blood safety and supply adequacy in the region. Method: The state of blood safety in sub-Saharan Africa was reviewed. Seminars and correspondence were undertaken with key clinicians, scientists and professional bodies in the region, including the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa, to examine the suitability of PRT for improving the safety of whole blood transfusion, a prevalent transfusion format in the region
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