The American Association of Tissue Banks revised its donor screening requirements for tuberculosis after two outbreaks — one in 2021 and another ongoing — were linked to contaminated products from the same human tissue company.
In an Aug. 7 update, the AATB said potential donors who have had tuberculosis or a latent infection diagnosed in the past two years are ineligible to donate tissues.
Other ineligible people include those who had exposure to someone with tuberculosis within the past two years, have tested positive for tuberculosis more than two years ago, were on dialysis for chronic renal failure, received a solid organ transplant or are older than 65.
The organization said the new guidance is because of the two tuberculosis outbreaks from contaminated products made by Silver Spring, Md.-based Aziyo Biologics.
In 2021, up to 113 patients might have contracted tuberculosis after having spinal surgery or fracture repairs involving a contaminated Aziyo bone repair product, and currently, more than 30 patients are at risk of contracting it. As of July 27, the CDC confirmed one patient has contracted and been treated for tuberculosis, one has died and 34 people have been notified.