Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis can be present in many tissues and be spread through the blood stream. It is sensible to exclude people who may have active disease from donating to prevent any possibility of transmitting the infection.

Individuals with latent tuberculosis do not have symptoms of active infection. Treatment is usually recommended for individuals aged under 65. Antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis can cause liver damage in older adults, and hence treatment may not be offered. If latent tuberculosis is thought to be drug resistant, or if the individual is taking immunosuppressive medication for any reason, they may be regularly monitored to check the infection does not become active.

DCSOs should consider all the TB risk factors in combination, and along with any clinical signs, symptoms, or radiological evidence of TB, treatment during review of donor eligibility, along with the processing methodology applied.

Donors with past treated tuberculosis can be accepted if tissues are to be terminally sterilised or processed in a manner validated to remove viable donor cells. However, this does not apply to any bone that has been the site of previous infection.

Obligatory section updated to include past active TB and latent TB. Discretionary section updated to require that donors with a past history of treated TB be referred to DCSO for individual risk assessment. Additional points added to Discretionary section and Additional Information section updated.