Abstract
The infection by blood-borne pathogens of a large proportion of the treated hemophilia
population over the 1970s to 1990s represents a major tragedy that is embedded in
the history of this condition. To avoid this historical repetition, the community
of patients, treaters, and policy makers that contribute to hemophilia care need to
learn from the events that gave rise to it. This requires an appreciation of the measures,
which, through scientific developments, have enhanced greatly the safety of plasma-derived
coagulation factor concentrates (pd CFCs). The objective conditions underlying and
influencing the safety of all biological materials also require recognition. Although
the stringent measures which ensure the safety of pd CFCs are very effective, pathogen
transmission by other blood-derived therapeutics has continued due to a lack of effective
technology and the continued emergence of new agents which transmit disease. This
emphasizes the reality that the basic environmental factors influencing blood pathogen
safety have not changed, albeit our capacity to counter them has improved greatly.
These factors lead to threats to blood safety that are unpredictable and imposable
on a global scale. The likelihood of a continued role for pd CFCs in hemophilia care,
particularly in emerging countries challenged to maintain blood safety measures, ensures
that these issues are more current than historical.
Keywords
blood safety - viruses - plasma products
