Tissue bank issues recall as supplier is investigated

Friday, October 28th 2005, 10:57 am

By: News On 6

AUSTIN (AP) -- A Central Texas tissue bank has recalled 47 grafts amid investigations into whether the company that illegally procured the body parts failed to properly screen donors.

The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas issued the voluntary recall on October 11th for tissue it received from Biomedical Tissue Services.

The New Jersey company is under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration. It says the tissue was recovered from donors who may not have met federal standards and who may not have been properly screened for infections.

The tissues include human bones, skin and tendons.

No illnesses connected to the tissues have been reported to the F-D-A. And they were handled properly once they were sold to tissue processing outlets, reducing the chance of infection.

However, authorities recommend doctors offer tests to tissue recipients for HIV-1 and 2, hepatitis B and C and syphilis.