@article{3076461,
    title = "Post-donation information and haemovigilance reporting for COVID-19 in Greece: Information supporting the absence of SARS-CoV-2 possible transmission through blood components",
    author = "Politis, C. and Papadaki, M. and Politi, L. and Kourti, G. and Richardson, C. and Asariotou, M. and Tsakris, A. and Mentis, A.",
    journal = "Transfusion Clinique et Biologique",
    year = "2021",
    volume = "28",
    number = "1",
    pages = "55-59",
    publisher = "Elsevier Masson s.r.l.",
    issn = "1246-7820",
    doi = "10.1016/j.tracli.2020.10.007",
    keywords = "colistimethate;  cytarabine;  fludarabine;  granulocyte colony stimulating factor;  idarubicin;  piperacillin plus tazobactam;  vancomycin;  antineoplastic agent, acute myeloid leukemia;  adult;  allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation;  Article;  asymptomatic disease;  bacterial infection;  blood donor;  blood safety;  case report;  clinical article;  clinical protocol;  coronavirus disease 2019;  female;  follow up;  Greece;  health care facility;  high risk population;  human;  human cell;  immune deficiency;  immunoassay;  male;  middle aged;  minimal residual disease;  molecular diagnosis;  monitoring;  multiple cycle treatment;  nasopharyngeal swab;  nonhuman;  outpatient;  prevalence;  public health;  quarantine;  real time polymerase chain reaction;  screening;  Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2;  thrombocyte transfusion;  thrombocytopenia;  virus transmission;  acute myeloid leukemia;  adverse event;  asymptomatic infection;  blood;  blood component therapy;  contact examination;  donor selection;  epidemiology;  Greece;  immunocompromised patient;  isolation and purification;  pandemic;  police;  prevention and control;  thrombocyte rich plasma;  viremia, Adult;  Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols;  Asymptomatic Infections;  Blood Component Transfusion;  Blood Donors;  Blood Safety;  Contact Tracing;  COVID-19;  COVID-19 Testing;  Donor Selection;  Female;  Greece;  Humans;  Immunocompromised Host;  Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute;  Male;  Middle Aged;  Pandemics;  Platelet-Rich Plasma;  Police;  SARS-CoV-2;  Viremia",
    abstract = "Background: Although the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted mainly through the respiratory tract, possible transmission by transfusion from asymptomatic carriers should be explored. As yet there are no reports of transfusion transmission of COVID-19. Haemovigilance findings within a three-month surveillance period during the new coronavirus pandemic are presented. Materials and methods: Due to great demand and shortage, blood sessions in outpatient facilities were organized during the high prevalence period of COVID-19, alongside a national plan to monitor the evolving public health situation by random molecular screening of high-risk groups of the population. Haemovigilance protocols were implemented as well as surveillance for any COVID-19 case reported post-transfusion. A 14-day quarantine and follow-up molecular and antibody testing of any COVID-19 positive case was obligatory. Results: Post-donation, post-transfusion information and molecular testing of swab samples collected from three asymptomatic donors at risk for COVID-19, revealed the case of an immunosupressed patient who had been transfused with whole blood derived platelets from a donor subsequently diagnosed with COVID-19. The recipient exhibited no symptoms of the disease. Molecular and antibody testing results were negative. Conclusion: Haemovigilance provided information supporting the absence of transfusion transmission of COVID-19, thus strengthening the hypothesis that, even if it cannot yet be definitively ruled out, COVID-19 is not transmitted through blood transfusion. As of early June 2020, a perfect test does not exist, therefore haemovigilance along with the implementation of strict proactive measures is crucial to identify eluding asymptomatic individuals and ensure blood safety during the pandemic. © 2020 Société française de transfusion sanguine (SFTS)"
}