ASCP Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Blood Banking Specialist Practice Questions and Study Guide

The function of cytomegalovirus (CMV) negative blood products is primarily to reduce the risk of CMV transmission to immunocompromised patients. CMV is a common virus that can be problematic for individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing organ transplants, chemotherapy, or those with HIV/AIDS. These patients are particularly vulnerable to infections, and CMV can lead to severe complications in this population.

To mitigate the risk, blood banks screen their blood products for CMV to ensure that CMV-negative units are available for transfusion. This practice helps protect at-risk patients from potential CMV infection, allowing for safer transfusions. Ensuring that blood products are CMV-negative is a critical infection control measure in transfusion medicine for immunocompromised patients.