Tissue and Organ Recipients

Recipients of donated human eggs, sperm and embryos.

Must not donate if:
1. At any time has:
a) Needed immunosuppression.

b) Had dura mater transplanted.

c) Had a stored autologous tissue, matrix implant or organ transplanted.

d) Had ocular tissue transplanted.

e) Had a Xenotransplant performed.

2. Since January 1st 1980:
Has had an allogeneic human tissue or organ transplant.

a) If before January 1st 1980 an allogeneic tissue or organ transplant, other than those listed above, was performed and there is no other reason to exclude the donor, accept.

b) If at any time a non-stored autologous tissue or organ has been transplanted, accept.

c) If has received an acellular non-human matrix graft, accept.

Surgery

Dental Treatment
Eye Disease
Immunodeficiency
Prion Associated Diseases
Transfusion
Trying to Conceive
Xenotransplantation

The transfer of tissues or organs between individuals and species has lead to the spread of infection. The above guidelines are intended to minimize these risks.

There is now a concern that this could also happen with vCJD. This is because in the autumn of 2003 a UK recipient of blood, taken from a healthy donor who later developed vCJD, died from vCJD. Since then, there have been several cases of infection with the vCJD prion in recipients of blood from donors who have later developed vCJD.

In view of this, people who have received a tissue or organ transplant since 1980, will be excluded from donation in the same way as recipients of transfusion are. This date is before BSE, which is believed to have caused vCJD, was prevalent.

Following an update to the SaBTO Microbiological Safety Guidelines, recipients of donated human eggs, sperm or embryos can be accepted to donate. Care should be taken to ensure they also meet the other criteria included in the ‘Trying to Conceive’ entry.

Stored autologous tissue has been replaced in the wrong individual. Because of the associated infection risk these donors are not allowed to donate. It is important to check that any tissue transplanted has not be stored (e.g. chondrocytes).

This entry reflects guidance from the former Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood Tissues and Organs of the Department of Health.

Link updated from 'Immunosuppression' to 'Immunodeficiency' in the 'See if Relevant' section.

If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue, please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.