End of selection criteria based on sexual orientation: An international symposium on alternatives to donation deferral.
Vox Sang
; 119(4): 388-401, 2024 Apr.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38270352
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Until recently, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) were deferred from donating blood for 3-12 months since the last male-to-male sexual contact. This MSM deferral has been discontinued by several high-income countries (HIC) that now perform gender-neutral donor selection. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
An international symposium (held on 20-04-2023) gathered experts from seven HICs to (1) discuss how this paradigm shift might affect the mitigation strategies for transfusion-transmitted infections and (2) address the challenges related to gender-neutral donor selection.RESULTS:
Most countries employed a similar approach for implementing a gender-neutral donor selection policy key stakeholders were consulted; the transition was bridged by time-limited deferrals; donor compliance was monitored; and questions or remarks on anal sex and the number and/or type of sexual partners were often added. Many countries have now adopted a gender-neutral approach in which questions on pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been added (or retained, when already in place). Other countries used mitigation strategies, such as plasma quarantine or pathogen reduction technologies for plasma and/or platelets.CONCLUSION:
The experience with gender-neutral donor selection has been largely positive among the countries covered herein and seems to be acceptable to stakeholders, donors and staff. The post-implementation surveillance data collected so far appear reassuring with regards to safety, although longer observation periods are necessary. The putative risks associated with HIV antiretrovirals should be further investigated.
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infecciones por VIH
/
Minorías Sexuales y de Género
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article