Cord blood storage has in recent years been recognized as one of the leading methods in the field of regenerative medicine and the treatment of intractable diseases. Many families around the world view this option as a biological safeguard for their child's future. However, one of the most important steps before entering into a contract is to evaluate the mother's health and review her medical history. Among these, one of the frequently asked questions by pregnant mothers is: "If I have a history of brucellosis, can I store my baby's cord blood?" In this note, we will scientifically and technically answer this question. First, we will explain brucellosis and its effects on pregnancy, then we will look at international AABB standards, and finally, we will discuss the guidelines of Royan Cord Blood Bank in this regard.
What is brucellosis and how is it transmitted? Brucellosis is a bacterial infectious disease caused by species of the bacterium Brucella. This disease is common in Iran, especially in rural areas or areas with high livestock activity, and can be transmitted to humans through:
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Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products (such as local cheese or raw milk)
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Direct contact with infected animals or animal products
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Inhalation of contaminated particles in contaminated environments such as livestock farms or laboratories Brucellosis is a systemic disease that can remain chronic in the body and affect various organs including the liver, kidneys, bones, and even the nervous system. Although treatment with combination antibiotics is possible, in some cases, the bacteria can remain latent in the body and reactivate.
The effect of brucellosis on pregnancy One of the important concerns of obstetricians and gynecologists is congenital infections; diseases that may be transmitted from mother to fetus or negatively affect fetal development. Brucellosis also falls into this group. Studies published in scientific databases such as PubMed and ScienceDirect show that brucellosis during pregnancy may lead to the following complications:
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Increased risk of spontaneous abortion
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Premature birth
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Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD)
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Low birth weight
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Congenital infection (in about 2% of cases) Also, some studies have suggested that treating brucellosis during pregnancy with a combination of antibiotics such as rifampin and cephalosporins can partially prevent complications, but this requires precise and continuous monitoring by a specialist physician.
Cord blood storage: Why is maternal health important? Cord blood is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells used in the treatment of many blood disorders and immune deficiencies. For this reason, the sample taken from the umbilical cord must be at the highest possible level in terms of health, safety, and cellular quality. Because cord blood is collected at the time of birth, the mother's health conditions—especially regarding infectious or autoimmune diseases—can severely affect the eligibility of the sample. For this reason, cord blood banks, such as Royan Cord Blood Bank, receive and review the mother's health assessment form before entering into a contract.
Global perspective: AABB standards regarding infectious diseases AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) is one of the most important international authorities in developing standards related to blood banks and biological products. This organization has developed guidelines for accepting or rejecting cord blood samples based on the health status of the mother and newborn. These standards specifically state that:
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Cord blood donation from mothers with blood-borne infectious diseases should not be accepted.
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Full screening for diseases such as HIV, syphilis, HTLV, hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis should be performed.
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Any chronic infection or infection with long-term latency potential can lead to sample rejection. Although AABB standards do not directly mention brucellosis, due to the similarity of brucellosis to other chronic infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, many cord blood storage centers worldwide adopt a stricter approach to a history of brucellosis.
Royan Cord Blood Bank's approach to brucellosis Royan Cord Blood Bank, as the largest and most reputable private stem cell storage bank in Iran, has prepared a list of contraindications for contracts based on scientific and medical guidelines. According to the cord blood storage guidelines at Royan Stem Cell Technology Company, "A history of brucellosis in the mother, at any time in her life, will prevent the conclusion of a cord blood storage contract." This decision is based on three principles:
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Long-term biosafety: Even after complete treatment, the possibility of bacterial latency in body tissues exists.
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Avoidance of potential transmission risk: Given the nature of chronic infections, there is a possibility of transmission to the sample or future recipient.
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Adherence to strict international protocols: Many global banks also refrain from storage if there is a history of chronic infectious diseases.
Is treated brucellosis also a barrier? One of the common questions from mothers is whether brucellosis diagnosed and successfully treated years ago will still be a barrier to the contract. Royan Cord Blood Bank's answer to this question is clear: Yes, it is still a barrier to the contract. The reason for this decision goes back to the specific characteristic of brucellosis; this disease can remain latent in some tissues or cells of the body and reactivate under specific conditions. Since cord blood is used to treat life-threatening diseases in the future, any risk, even minor, must be eliminated.
Other contraindications for contracts at Royan Cord Blood Bank In addition to brucellosis, the following are also recognized as barriers to contracts:
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Tuberculosis
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Syphilis
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HTLV
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Parkinson's
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Some autoimmune diseases such as lupus, MS, ulcerative colitis, vasculitis, and Behçet's syndrome These cases are usually on the list of contraindications due to their chronic nature, impact on cellular immunity, or risk of transmission.
Conclusion: Why should brucellosis be taken seriously? At first glance, brucellosis might seem like an endemic, treatable disease, but from the perspective of regenerative medicine and biobanks, any chronic infection—even if cured—can pose a serious threat to the future therapeutic use of stem cells. For this reason, Royan Cord Blood Bank, citing scientific principles and following global standards such as AABB, considers a history of brucellosis a barrier to entering into a contract to provide the highest level of safety for families.