Anti-CMV negative products

The risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission through transfusion is primarily associated with the transfer of leukocytes, as CMV is an intracellular pathogen. Prevention strategies include leukoreduction or the transfusion of CMV-seronegative cellular components. 

Héma-Québec performs leukoreduction on all units of red blood cells and platelets.  The scientific literature demonstrates that leukoreduction is considered equivalent to the use of CMV-seronegative products for reducing the risk of CMV transmission. 

Granulocytes transfused to CMV-seronegative recipients should be collected from donors who were CMV-seronegative at the time of their last donation. 

Action

The transfusion of CMV-seronegative or leukoreduced blood components is intended to prevent, in immunosuppressed individuals, the transmission of CMV, which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, hepatitis, or colitis; these conditions can be very serious or even fatal. 

Main indications

The Comité stratégique national de médecine transfusionnelle (CSNMT) recommends that : 

1. The use of blood cell products that are seronegative for anti-CMV IgG should be restricted to granulocyte transfusions in individuals who are CMV seronegative or of unknown CMV status. 
2. Leukoreduced products and anti-CMV IgG-negative products should be considered equivalent in terms of their effectiveness in preventing CMV transmission for all other uses, including intrauterine transfusions. 

Check out the Recommandations sur l’utilisation de produits cellulaires séronégatifs au cytomégalovirus (in French only) for more information. 

Residual risk 

None of the current CMV mitigation strategies (i.e., serological screening of donors and leukoreduction) eliminates CMV DNA or virions that may be present in the donor’s plasma, whether during the window period when CMV serology is negative or during CMV reactivation. No current measure can completely reduce the risk of CMV transmission. 

Dosage and administration

Refer to the dosage and administration specific to each product.

Storage

Refer to the storage specific to each product.

In the event of a discrepancy between the information on this page and what is in the Circular of information, the latter will take precedence.