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VIROLOGY TESTING AND CELL STORAGE POLICY
DONOR INFORMATION SHEET
A transplant physician will explain to you the procedure of collecting Haemopoietic Stem Cells
or Therapeutic Cells via a Bone Marrow Harvest, Peripheral Blood Stem Cell collection or
Therapeutic Cell collection.
Microbiology testing
It is routine for your blood and all donated cells to be tested for certain infectious agents, e.g.
viruses, before they can be given to the recipient. These include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a serological test for syphilis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and in
some cases human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV 1 / 2). This is done to reduce the risks of
inadvertent infection of the recipient and medical, nursing and laboratory personnel, in contact
with the stem cells. It also helps prevent cross-infection of one stored donation from another.
Cell Storage
Although most stored stem cells are used shortly after collection, they may be kept for use at a
later date. Stem cells can safely survive for many years when frozen but it is impractical to keep
these cells indefinitely, as the vats of liquid nitrogen in which they are stored, are very
expensive to maintain and use up a large amount of space, ultimately leaving no space for any
cells from new patients. Therefore, cells which are no longer required may be discarded with
your permission.
Discard of cells
Doctors may decide to discard any stored cells in the following circumstances:
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If the recipient of your cells appears to be cured and doctors decide that the cells will not be
needed. This period will not be less than 5 years and may be extended in some situations
If the recipient of your cells relapses and their disease progresses so that it is clear that
further treatment with the cells will now be ineffective
If the recipient of your cells dies
Samples for research
Where the stored cells will not be used for treatment they may be used for research purposes
rather than be discarded if your consent has been obtained in accordance with the requirements
of the Human Tissue Act 2004.
Tissue from the living may be stored for use and/or used without consent, provided that:
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the research is ethically approved
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the tissue is anonymised such that the researcher is not in possession of information
identifying the person from whose body the material has come and is not likely to come into
possession of that information.
Before virology testing, cell storage or disposal can take place, you will be asked to sign a
consent form. Please feel free to ask your consultant any questions you any have about this
issue.