The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a new guidance to help reduce the risk of transmitting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) through human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products (HCT/Ps). The guidance provides recommendations for screening donors to check for signs and risk factors of tuberculosis infection. This document was issued urgently due to recent multistate outbreaks linked to Mtb transmissions from donors and aims to enhance screening until official tests are available. Although the guidance is effective immediately, the FDA is open to receiving comments on it.
Simple Explanation
The FDA has made a new plan to help make sure donated things from people's bodies, like cells and tissues, don't pass on a disease called tuberculosis to others. They want to start checking donors better right away and will continue to do this until special tests are ready to use.