Which donor contraindication is associated with infectious disease activity?

• A. Reyes syndrome in last 3 months
• B. Active viral, progressive, or encephalitis of unknown origin
• C. Retinoblastoma
• D. Active leukemias

Answer: (B)

Infection risk is the key factor for donor screening. Any donor with an active infectious disease, especially a viral infection that’s progressing or encephalitis of unknown origin, poses a high risk of transmitting that infection to the recipient who will be immunosuppressed after transplantation. Therefore, active viral infections, progressive infections, or encephalitis of unknown origin are strong contraindications because they could directly harm the recipient.

The other options describe conditions that are disqualifying for reasons other than active infection: Reyes syndrome is a noninfectious neurologic condition history, retinoblastoma is a cancer, and active leukemias are malignancies. While these are also reasons not to donate, they don’t address infectious disease activity.