Risk of cytomegalovirus transmission by blood products to immunocompromised patients and means for reduction.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission remains a particular concern for immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing bone marrow transplantation or receiving chemotherapy. It is of major importance for CMV seronegative patients that the risk of CMV transmission with blood products is minimized. The currently available techniques, use of CMV-seronegative blood products and leucocytereduction by filtration, have limitations. Pathogen inactivation is the newest approach to making blood safer. Several technologies are already available or in development. The final choice of a technique will most likely depend on the risk for severe CMV disease in the patient population as well as efficacy, safety, and costs of the chosen techniques.