Research Group on Blood Transfusion

Transfusion-related Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection among stem cell transplant recipients: a retrospective cohort study in children

Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) is an infectious agent that can be transmitted through blood transfusion or other blood products. Currently, Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec do not test for EBV, because the risk of EBV infection following transfusion is low. However, the presence of these viruses in blood products could be particularly deleterious in terms of the transfusions dedicated to the pediatric population that receives transplantations because of immunosuppression due to transplantation. EBV can cause a post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), a morbid and often lethal disease in transplantation recipients because of their immunosuppression.

Main Objectives

Measure the association between blood product transfusion and the risk of post-transplantation EBV infection in children who have received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Findings

The results of the study showed an important association between EBV infection and the volume of blood products received in children who have received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (article in press in the journal Transfusion).

  • Principal Investigator of the Study: Dre Helen Trottier
  • Investigators at CHU Sainte-Justine: Dre Helen Trottier
  • Source of funding: Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS)
  • Study Design: Étude rétrospective de cohorte
  • Number of Participants: 422

 

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Updated on 10/8/2014
Created on 10/8/2014
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