The effect of transfusions on the incidence of bacterial infection

The use of blood transfusions has been a art of medical practice for over half a century. The efficacy of blood and blood products in patients in hypovolemic shock from trauma or operative procedures has been well established. During the past quarter century, it has been demonstrated that blood transfusions administered prior to transplantation decrease the frequency and severity of allograft rejection. More recent work has indicated that this beneficial effect is the result of the transfusion inducing a state of immunosuppression in the recipient. A number of reports have suggested that this posttransfusion immunosuppression may result in an increased susceptibility to bacterial infections.