Recommendation by American blood banks association on CFS and blood donation

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Recommendation on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Blood Donation

The AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Xenotropic Murine Leukemia

Virus-Related Virus reviewed the risk of transfusion transmission of XMRV by

individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The task force presented its

recommendations to the AABB Board of Directors, which approved an interim

measure intended to prevent patients with a current or past diagnosis of CFS

from donating blood or blood components.

AABB released an Association Bulletin today recommending that, as an interim

measure until further definitive data are available, its member blood

collectors, through the use of donor information materials available at the

donation site, actively discourage potential donors who have been diagnosed by a

physician with CFS [also known as chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction

syndrome (CFIDS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)] from donating blood or blood

components.

The task force includes representatives from the blood community, patient

advocacy representatives, XMRV subject matter experts and liaisons from several

government agencies, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health,

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration

and the National Institutes of Health.

AABB member institutions are required to follow all federal regulations

regarding donor eligibility. At present, there are no specific regulations for

deferral of individuals with diseases or syndromes that have been linked to

XMRV.

AABB appreciates all individuals who want to donate blood but strongly urges

that only those who are eligible and healthy do so.

Last updated: June 18, 2010