Today HHS released updates to the 1994 guidelines on preventing the unexpected transmission of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.
Changes to the guidelines include:
1. A recommendation for hepatitis B and C scans for donors in addition to the required HIV scan.
2. Recommended use of new, more sensitive lab tests for organ donors.
3. A revision of HIV, HBV and HBC risk factors to more clearly outline risks associated with any given transplant.
4. Recommendation for clinicians and recipients to use this information to have an in-depth discussion of the updated risks for organ transplantation.
The old guidelines were reviewed by a CDC-lead working group composed of multidisciplinary experts in transplantation and infection control, and new guidelines were established by a working group of experts in evidence-based guidelines.
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