To Pat EhlertAbler,

As the mother of 3 sons with factor VIII hemophilia, I know something of the
purity of the factor VIII products currently available.  Factor VIII products
in general use fall into two categories of manufacture:  monoclonal products
that have been heat treated to eliminate certain transmittable known viruses
(such as HIV) and recombinant DNA manufactured product.  Hemophilia Treatment
Centers are beginning to move toward recombinant factor only as it is less
likely to transmit hepatitis, HIV, other blood born pathogens and less likely
to cause certain autoimmune problems that occur with chronic exposure to the
non essential proteins found in less pure products.  Though this is not always
possible due to cost and availability issues, HTCs ARE recommending
recombinant factor for newly diagnosed patients and women who are in the child
bearing/nursing years.

As I am unsure if Alphanate is a recombinant product, I will check with our
HTC and get back to you.  In the mean time, I would probably be more concerned
about viral transfer from whole blood/packed cell transfusions that I would be
about the extremely low possibility of transfer from factor VIII products in
use today.

Marie deSoto, RN