lastly, i'll remind you all of this. this is a FACT. i asked my doctor's office to let their phlebotomist attend it. we'll see if he will.
HomeTeleconferencesTH0037X
XMRV—Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Blood Supply
Date: Friday, June 11, 2010 12:00 Noon CT
Credits: 1 CME/CMLE
MOC: PC, MK, PBL
Who should attend?
Practicing Pathologists, Residents, Laboratory Managers, Bench Technologists & Technicians, Cytotechnologists, and Phlebotomists
Louis M. Katz, MD
Executive Vice President of Medical Affairs, Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center, Davenport, Iowa
Public health officials are investigating the potential threat to the nation’s blood supply posed by xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) – a retrovirus that some researchers believe may be responsible for chronic fatigue syndrome. This is a potential concern because, theoretically, the virus can be transmitted through transfusions as are other retroviruses such as HIV and HTLV.
There is currently no FDA-licensed blood donor screening test and standards for diagnosis for XMRV infection. Currently, some blood collection agencies are considering the possibility of deferring donors with a history of chronic fatigue syndrome. Efforts are underway by the FDA and CDC to find effective tests for and determine the prevalence of XMRV.
In this Teleconference, Dr. Katz, a specialist in infectious diseases and a prominent figure in national blood banking organizations, will provide in-depth background about the virus and its taxonomic relationships, bring you up to date on XMRV research initiatives, and clarify the issues surrounding the virus in transfusion medicine.
Participants are encouraged to ask questions and engage with Dr. Katz.
Louis M. Katz, MD has served as President of the Board of Directors of America’s Blood Centers, the national organization of independent, community-based blood centers that supply half of the blood components transfused in the United States.
Dr. Katz was recently interviewed for The Wall Street Journal Article "New Threats to U.S. Blood Supply."
Following the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
Identify the taxonomic relationships of XMRV
Recognize the disease associations that are being proposed for XMRV
Justify the emerging interest in XMRV in transfusion medicine
Evaluate current research initiatives
Live Webcast Option!
As an alternative, you may view the slide presentation via the live webcast option – the slides are advanced automatically as you view them online while the audio is still accessed over the telephone.