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Tissue Services Prion Testing update

NHS Blood & Transport (NHSBT) are an organisation that strive to provide safe and effective tissue for use in saving and enhancing patients lives.



NHS Blood & Transport (NHSBT) are an organisation that strive to provide safe and effective tissue for use in saving and enhancing patients lives.

In order to greatly reduce the risk of disease transmission through tissue transplants, a number of blood tests are performed on every donation.

However, it is not possible to test blood samples for the risk of CJD (Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease).

From 14th March, NHSBT began a study, approved by the Prion Working Group, to test spleen tissue from some deceased tissue donors for CJD.  This test will be discussed with the donor’s next of kin, and appropriate consent will be taken, in accordance with the Human Tissue Act 2004. 

The aim of the study is to assess the feasibility of taking and testing the spleen, and eventually optic nerve samples will also be taken by the eye banks, and this is done in a timely manner, so as not to delay the release of any tissue for transplant.

If there are any further questions regarding the study, please contact the project co-ordinator Lauren Dunne on 0151 268 7119.

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