Reminder: You are viewing our sharing site. Content may differ from our live site.
Skip to main content

# Xenotransplantation - Whole blood and components

Also known as: xenografts

## Essential information

Definition/s

  Xenotransplantation: any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation, or infusion into a human recipient of either (a) live cells, tissues, or organs from a non-human animal source, or (b) human body fluids, cells, tissues, or organs that have had ex vivo contact with live, non-human animal cells, tissues, or organs. Xenotransplantation products include live cells, tissues and organs.

  Biological products, drugs, or medical devices sourced from non-living cells, tissues or organs from non-human animals including, but not limited to, porcine insulin, porcine heart valves and acellular porcine collagen matrix are not considered xenotransplantation products.

  Inoculation injuries from non human sources are not considered to be xenotransplants.

Includes

  Heterografts, non-human organ perfusion, xenografts, xenotransplant recipients.

### Scenarios

Xenotransplant recipient

Obligatory

  Must not donate if:

  Material from a living non-human animal source has been directly or indirectly in contact with the donor's blood supply. This does not include animal bites.

See if relevant
  - Animal bite, non-human
  - Non-consented exposure to human body fluids
Additional information

  Exposure to non-human animal material, particularly when the person exposed is immunosuppressed, may result in unusual infections that would not normally affect humans being passed on to recipients of donated material. Inoculation injury, involving non-human animals, does not fall into the category of xenotransplantation.

Current or former sexual partner of a xenotransplant recipient

Obligatory

  Must not donate.

Additional information

  Sexual partners of individuals who have received a xenotransplant may potentially be at risk of acquiring an unusual infection that may be passed on by donated material. Because the duration of any risk is not known, deferral must be permanent.

## Supporting information

Regulatory information

  Part of this entry is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

Reason for change:
  Reference to specific products has been removed from the Definitions section.
Version details:

  WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 67 (31 January 2023)

BETA

We recently updated this website. Help us improve it – give your feedback (opens in new tab)