Toxicology Findings as a Predictor of Reactive Serology in a Cornea Donor Population

Authors

Ellen Heck MT, ASCP, CEBT, MA, Kristel Gruslin BSN, RN, Jill Urban M.D., H. Dwight Cavanagh M.D. PhD

Abstract

Prevention of disease transmission by corneal transplantation remains
an ongoing concern for eye banking professionals in evaluation
of suitability and viral risk assessment. This retrospective
study of 588 cornea donors from a single county medical examiner’s
office examines the correlation, if any, between findings of
positive toxicology screening and reactive serology in this donor
population. Population demographics were consistent with the
normal donor population except as relates to manner of cause of
death which excludes most individuals with prior hospitalization.
Donors with prior, usually immediate post mortem, conditions
were excluded as toxicology is not a routine in general medical
conditions and these donors are not routinely medical examiner
cases. Twenty-five of the potential donors were reactive for one
or more serologies. 294 donors had positive toxicology findings
and an equal number had negative toxicology findings. Toxicology
does not, in this population, appear to be an indicator of
disease risk transmission.