Table 1.
Criteria for donor selection of US, European and Italian guidelines (GLs). Existing previous versions are also reported
| Topic | US GLs, 2005 8 | US GLs, 2016 9 | European GLs, 2015 10 | Italian GLs, 2008 11 | Italian GLs, 2016 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target species | Dog and cat | Dog and cat | Cat | Dog, cat, horse | Dog, cat, horse |
| Application | NC | NC | Whole blood and haemocomponents | Whole blood (haemocomponents are excluded) | Whole blood (haemocomponents are excluded) |
| General characteristics | GLs were specifically designed to guide screening for infectious diseases. They included a brief section with general recommendations, including criteria for donor selection and care, blood collection procedure and records | GLs are aimed at minimising the risk of bloodborne infection in recipients. Optimal and minimal standards were introduced for each pathogen to create a differentiated screening based on time limits, costs and availability of the tests. A list of laboratories performing the screening test in the USA is provided |
GLs are aimed at minimising the risks of infectious iatrogenic complications in feline blood transfusions, identifying blood donors at low risk of transmitting infectious diseases. Prevention of donor blood contamination and transmission of transfusion-transmissible infections are discussed | GLs are aimed at regulating animal blood transfusion and its production in the country. Criteria for donor selection, requirement of welfare, structural requisites of the practice, blood collection procedures, records, delivery and traceability are described | GLs are aimed at regulating the animal blood transfusion and its production in the country. Criteria of donor selection, requirement of welfare, structural requisites of the practice, blood collection procedures, records, delivery and traceability are described. Further specific forms are provided |
| Criteria for feline blood donor recruitment | Not indicated | Not indicated | Not indicated, but closed-colony donors, specifically bred for blood banks, are not recommended for ethical reasons | Not indicated | Not indicated |
| Criteria for feline blood donor suitability | Not indicated | Not indicated | • >3 years*
• Regularly vaccinated • No history of travel in regions endemic for vector-borne diseases or of clinical/laboratory changes consistent with vector-borne diseases |
• 2–8 years • 5–7 kg • Vaccinated for FHV, calicivirus, FPV, C felis, FeLV • Docile character |
• 2–8 years • >5 kg • Vaccinated for FHV, calicivirus, FPV, C felis, FeLV • Docile character |
| Criteria for permanent exclusion from donation (including previous infectious diseases) | • Animals found to be positive for infectious disease screening tests • Animals seropositive for other selected pathogens • Free-roaming cats |
• Animals found to be positive for infectious disease screening test • Animals seropositive for other selected pathogens • Free-roaming cats |
• Free-roaming cats • Shelter cats (depending on history) • Presence of fleas or ticks |
Presence of: • Autoimmune or immune-mediated diseases • Malignant neoplasms • Endocrinopathies • Cardiovascular diseases • Chronic glomerulonephritis or pyelonephritis • Polycythaemia vera • FIV-positive test result • FeLV-positive test result • FIP |
Presence of: • Autoimmune or immune-mediated diseases • Malignant neoplasms • Endocrinopathies • Cardiovascular diseases • Chronic glomerulonephritis or pyelonephritis • Polycythaemia vera • FIV-positive test result • FeLV-positive test result • Any suspicion of FIP |
| Criteria for temporary exclusion from donation (including previous infectious diseases) | NC | NC | NC | • Toxoplasmosis (accepted after clinical recovery and absence of IgG) • Infection by M haemofelis (accepted after clinical recovery, absence of parasite on blood smear and negative PCR result) • Deferred for up to 6 months following treatment with haemoderivative drugs or transfusions, for up to 3 months for treatment with animal serums, for up to 3 weeks after vaccination with live vaccines, and for up to 48 h after vaccination with killed vaccines or drug administration |
• Toxoplasmosis (accepted after clinical recovery and absence of IgG) • Infection by M haemofelis (accepted after clinical recovery, absence of parasite on blood smear and negative PCR result) • Deferred for up to 6 months following treatment with haemoderivative drugs or transfusions, for up to 3 months for treatment with animal serums, for up to 3 weeks after vaccination with live vaccines, and for up to 48 h after vaccination with killed vaccines or drug administration |
| Risk profile | Detailed history is required, especially history of travel and possible exposure to infectious agents | A standardised questionnaire is provided to define the risk profile | A standardised questionnaire is provided to define the risk profile | Form for declaration of healthy status for owner of the donor is provided | Form for declaration of healthy status for owner of the donor is provided |
| Declaration of good health by owner of the donor | Advised | Recommended (by a questionnaire provided) | Provided by questionnaire | Provided | Provided |
| Consent form for infectious risk for recipient | Advised | Advised | Advised | Recommended | Recommended |
| Distinction between blood donation for emergency and for commercial purposes | NC | Yes | Yes † | Yes † | Yes † |
| Frequency of screening test | Not indicated | At least yearly. More frequently in endemic areas or in donors with repeated exposure to risk factors | • According to the pathogen (seasonal exposure or not) • A risk assessment prior to each transfusion should be performed to reduce the frequency of tests |
At each donation, allowed every 9 weeks, to up to 1.5–2% of the total blood volume and maximum 10 ml/kg | At each donation, allowed every 3 months, to up to 1.5–2% of the total blood volume and maximum 10 ml/kg |
| Updating of the screening in case of epidemiological conditions | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended ‡ | Recommended ‡ |
| Parasite deworming | NC | NC | NC | NC | NC |
| Ectoparasite prophylaxis | Advised to reduce the risk of vector-borne infections in endemic areas | Information collected by the provided questionnaire | Yes (regularly treated) | NC | NC |
| Heartworm prevention | Yes, in endemic areas | Information collected by the questionnaire provided with date | Yes, in endemic areas | NC | NC |
| Aliquot of sample for retrospective investigation | Recommended (plasma) | Recommended (plasma and whole blood) | Recommended (EDTA blood) § | NC | Recommended (1 ml serum or plasma and 1 ml whole blood in EDTA) § |
| Record and documenting of donor unit | Recommended | Recommended | NC | Recommended | Recommended (including medical records of each donor up to 3 years) |
*
This age is indicated to reduce the risk of Bartonella species bacteraemia
†
Limited screenings are planned: only FIV, FeLV and M haemofelis investigations are considered. FeLV rapid antigen test should be used in this case, and the owner of the recipient should be informed about the higher risk of infectious disease transmission
‡
Based on the judgement of the veterinarian in charge and on the epidemiological conditions. Possibility of testing a pool of samples is considered
§
Note: storage of whole blood in EDTA causes the detachment of the bacteria from the surface of the red blood cells within a few hours (6 h) and false-negative results could occur 3
NC = not considered; FHV = feline herpesvirus; FPV = feline parvovirus; C felis = Chlamydia felis, formerly Chlamydophila felis; FeLV = feline leukaemia virus; FIV = feline immunodeficiency virus; FIP = feline infectious peritonitis; M haemofelis = Mycoplasma haemofelis