Transfusion Microbiology

Description:
Extensive measures are taken to ensure that blood transfusion poses a minimal microbiological hazard to recipients. Transfusion Microbiology is the definitive text on all aspects of transfusion transmitted infections. This comprehensive text covers all medical, scientific, technical and developmental aspects of this critically important sector of transfusion medicine. A detailed discussion of all infective agents, donor issues, testing and pathogen inactivation is provided. Agents causing major concern recently, such as vCJD, are considered in the context of historical experience with agents such as HIV. All aspects of risk assessment, regulation, cost benefit analysis and quality management are reviewed. Relevant to blood transfusion centres, hospital transfusion laboratories, haematologists and microbiologists, medical, scientific and technical staff, universities and general training programmes worldwide, Transfusion Microbiology provides an up-to-date resource for all practitioners and researchers involved in transfusion medicine.

Review:
'[A] gap has now been filled with the publication of Transfusion Microbiology. There are two questions a potential reader should ask about a textbook like this one. First, does it include all the standard, core material that practitioners refer to on a regular basis; and second, does it have sufficient depth to answer even some of the most esoteric questions in the field? For this book, on almost all counts, the answer is clearly yes. ... all the major infectious agents that can be transmitted by transfusion are included and the level of detail given for each is at least as great as (and frequently greater than) that given in other leading transfusion textbooks. ... Tests for infectious diseases and other methods of preventing transmission are prominently featured in this book. Topics that can confuse the practitioner as well as the trainee, such as confirmatory testing and donor readmission, are given entire chapters with detailed flow charts and diagrams. ... The layout, artwork and tables are noteworthy, not only for their clean aesthetic appeal but also for their detailed content. ... In summary, Transfusion Microbiology is a commendable addition to the field and a reference that many transfusion medicine professionals will want on their bookshelves.' The New England Journal of Medicine '... an up-to-date and fully referenced source of theoretical and practical information ...' Now & Then 'This is a much needed definitive textbook on the subject of transfusion microbiology ...' The Bulletin of the Royal College of Pathologists 'This one of a kind book melds the disciplines of transfusion associated microbiology with conventional transfusion medicine issues. A nice addition to your bookshelf.' Doody's Book Review 'This multi-author textbook is perhaps the first attempt at producing a comprehensive overview of the infectious risks associated with modern transfusion practice. Indeed the content extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of microbiology and covers a broad range of topics that together assure the safety of manufactured blood components and products. ... [It] provides an accessible and readable overview of the important elements that contribute to the manufacture of safe blood components and products. The editors, and authors, are to be congratulated on this significant achievement.' Bloodlines, British Blood Transfusion Society newsletter 'Transfusion Microbiology is thorough and should be in the library of blood bankers/transfusion medicine specialists. Not only is it comprehensive but easy to read and leads one to seminal references behind the statements of fact and opinion. The editors have compiled a book to be proud of, which should be quite useful to practitioners in the field.' Vox Sanguinis

Table of Contents:
Foreword Roger Y. Dodd; Preface; Acknowledgements; Glossary; Introduction John A. Barbara, Roger Eglin; Part I. Agents: 1. Hepatitis viruses Denis M. Dwyre and Paul V. Holland; 2. Anti-HBc Joan O'Riordan; 3. Herpes viruses Eleftherios C. Vamvaka and Gary E. Tegtmeier; 4. Retroviruses Brian C. Dow, E. W. Fiebig and Michael P. Busch; 5. Parvovirus B19 (human erythroviruses) Kevin E. Brown; 6. Emerging viruses in transfusion Jean-Pierre Allain; 7. Bacterial contamination in blood and blood components Carl P. McDonald and M. A. Blajchman; Annexe, Syphilis Brian C. Dow; 8. The protozoan parasites David A. Leiby and Silvano Wendel; 9. Prion diseases Marc L. Turner, Patricia E. Hewitt, Moira Bruce and James W. Ironside; Annexe, Testing for prions David Anstee and Gary Mallinson; Part II. Selection and Testing: 10. Blood donor selection and qualification Virge James; 11. Current serological methods of testing and automation Peter D. Rogan; 12. Confirmatory testing and donor readmission Alan D. Kitchen and Brian C. Dow; 13. The strategy for applications of nucleic acid testing Paul R. Grant and Richard S. Tedder; 14. Nucleic acid testing, general view W. Kurt Roth; 15. Nucleic acid testing, the US approach Susan L. Stramer; 16. Nucleic acid testing, the English approach Roger Eglin; 17. Quality in the screening of donations for transfusion transmissible infections Alan D. Kitchen and John A. Barbara; 18. Microbiological blood testing and new technologies Juraj Petrik; 19. Processing and components, Leucodepletion and pathogen reduction Rebecca Cardigan, Chris Prowse and Lorna M. Williamson; 20. Fractionated products Peter R. Foster and Carol Bienek; Part III. Surveillance, Risk and Regulation: 21. Serious hazards of transfusion (SHOT), Haemovigilance Elizabeth M. Love; 22. Investigation of post transfusion infection Patricia E. Hewitt and Chris Moore; 23. Notification of donors with significant microbiological test results Patricia E. Hewitt and Chris Moore; 24. Researching the natural history of transfusion transmitted infections, the UK hepatitis C national register Helen Harris; 25. How to assess risk, prospective studies and calculations Kate Soldan and Katy Davison; 26. Risk management Arturo Pereira; 27. The regulatory environment in Europe Virge James; 28. Blood safety in developing countries Jean-Pierre Allain, Elizabeth Vinelli and Yasmin Ayob; Index.

Author Biography:
John A. J. Barbara is an Emeritus Consultant in Microbiology to the National Blood Service in England and the Visiting Professor in Transfusion Microbiology at the University of West England, Bristol, UK. Fiona A. M. Regan is a Consultant Haematologist at NHSBT and Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK. Marcela C. Conteras is a Visiting Professor of Transfusion Medicine in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of West England, Bristol, UK. She was formerly the National Director of Diagnostics, Development and Research at the National Blood Service. She was awarded a DBE in 2007 for her services to healthcare.