Infectious Disease Testing to Optimize Safety of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Products

Over 1 million hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) have been performed during the last 50 years, with the number of transplants and clinical indications expected to continue to increase. Although advances in the field have improved outcomes of HSCT, it still carries a high risk due to the immunocompromised state of HSCT recipients. Multiple steps are involved from the initial collection of donor hematopoietic progenitor cells to the final infusion of the cellular product in a recipient. This review focuses on the infectious risk associated with each of these steps, as well as infectious disease testing strategies that can be used to mitigate these risks and to ensure a safe HSCT procedure.