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Blood Transfusion

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seronegative blood products

  • # Institutions should consider using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) monitoring for at-risk patients to allow early detection of possible CMV infection (transfusion-transmitted or otherwise acquired). 

    More information on this topic is available see CMV – background document.

    Patient group CMV seronegative Leucocyte deplete, CMV safe
    Intrauterine transfusion Recommended If, in an emergency situation, it is not possible to provide CMV seronegative blood products, leucodepleted products of unknown serostatus may be considered.
    Pre-term and term infants
    • Up to 28 days post estimated due date
    		 Recommended If, in an emergency situation, it is not possible to provide CMV seronegative blood products, leucodepleted products of unknown serostatus may be used.
    Neonatal exchange transfusion Recommended In an emergency, the use of leucocyte deplete CMV unscreened blood products may be used.
    Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) patients who are CMV negative (including those undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) # Recommended In an emergency, the use of leucocyte deplete CMV unscreened blood products may be used.
    Other immunodeficiency patients # Not indicated Recommended
    Haematology and oncology patients # Not indicated Recommended
    Allogeneic and autologous HSCT patients # Not indicated Recommended
    Solid organ transplant patients # Not indicated Recommended
    Granulocyte infusions Recommended
    Pregnant women regardless of CMV status
    • Elective transfusions during the antenatal period of pregnancy for an ongoing pregnancy (but not during delivery)
    		 Recommended If, in an emergency situation, it is not possible to provide CMV seronegative blood products, leucodepleted products of unknown serostatus may be used