This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

ROSLYN Yomtovian, MD
Transfusion Service St Cloud Hospital Minn

JAMA. 1985;253(17):2491.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

A recent issue of THE JOURNAL^1-3 contained several articles on the subject of blood transfusion and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Particular attention was given to the status of the serological screening tests for antihuman T-cell leukemia (lymphotropic) retrovirus (HTLV-III) viral antibodies. Throughout this coverage, it was tacitly assumed that, despite unresolved questions concerning accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and test result interpretation, these tests would probably eliminate most cases of transfusional AIDS. In addition, although some mention was made of the increased costs of blood transfusion practice associated with this screening test program, this aspect was given little attention. Regrettably, no mention was made of and no consideration given to the role of autologous blood transfusion programs to ensure blood transfusion safety, and quite possibly, to provide a cost-effective alternative to homologous transfusion programs.

It has been estimated that as many as 50% to 60% of all . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?