Transmissible spongiform encephalitis

Human blood, given by blood donors, is a source not only of cellular material (red cells, white cells, platelets) but also of blood plasma, which is subjected to protein fractionation to give albumin, anti-hemophilia factors and immunoglobulins. The possibility of transmission of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD) - prions are not really understood - and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), if sterilization procedures fail, combined with the feasibility of manufacturing proteins by recombinant DNA technology, mean that there is uncertainty about the long-term future of the blood products industry. Indeed, the problems with bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE) and the related fatal human brain disorder, CJD, have led to unease about cattle-derived substances. 

Prions The use of bovine thrombin in fibrin sealants increases the risk of transmission of bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE) [11 ]. However, the risk of transmitting prion diseases by giving human blood or blood products is theoretical at present. Because of the long incubation time it is challenging to evaluate the risk [2 ]. In 168 UK cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), nine patients had received fractionated plasma products on 12 occasions, intramuscular immunoglobulins for travel on four occasions Rh(D) immunoglobulin for rhesus... 

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