Lifeline Health Sciences. Volume 2 issue 1(2024), Pp. 15-22 https://lifelinejournals.org/journals/lifeline-health-sciences Managing Transfusion-Transmitted Infections in HIV-Positive Recipients: A Review * Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu 1 and Callistus Adewale Akinleye 2 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kampala International University, Uganda. 2 Department of Community Medicine, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria. * Corresponding authour: Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kampala International University, Uganda, emmanuelobeagu@yahoo.com Abstract Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) pose significant risks to HIV-positive individuals, who are more susceptible to secondary infections due to their compromised immune systems. Common transfusion-related pathogens include hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and various bacterial infections, which can exacerbate the clinical complications faced by HIV patients. Despite advances in blood screening technologies, the risk of TTIs persists, especially in low-resource settings where outdated or insufficient screening protocols may be in place. The increasing need for transfusions in HIV populations highlights the importance of addressing the complexities associated with managing TTIs. Efforts to reduce TTI risk have focused on implementing advanced diagnostic technologies such as nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT), which shortens the detection window for viral infections, and pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs), which inactivate a broad range of pathogens in blood products. Strategies like leukoreduction and blood irradiation also contribute to minimizing the risk of latent infections. However, significant challenges remain, particularly in terms of cost, accessibility, and the management of immune complications like alloimmunization in HIV-positive transfusion recipients. Keywords: transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), HIV-positive recipients, blood transfusion safety, pathogen reduction, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) Introduction