Transfusion-transmitted protozoal infections: what is the risk in non-endemic countries?.

Authors

  • Branca Isabel Pereira Serviço de Doenças Infecciosas, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
  • Cláudia Nazareth
  • Lurdes Malcata
  • Helena Alves
  • José Rafael Fernández
  • Celene Sargento
  • Saraiva da Cunha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.1579

Abstract

Protozoal infections that are efficiently transmitted by blood transfusion include Malaria, Chagas Disease, African Trypanosomiasis, Leshmaniasis, Toxoplasmosis and Babesiosis. With exception of Toxoplasmosis and Leishmaniasis, these diseases are endemic in mainly tropical low income countries and, in non-endemic countries like Portugal, the reported cases are imported from these endemic areas by travelers or immigrants. Globalization, with increasing travel and immigration poses the risk of exposition to these infectious agents and raises the issue of possible transmission by blood transfusion. According to recommendations of the Council of Europe, strategies to prevent the transmission of these infections by blood transfusion have been implemented. Given that the risk is introduced by a specific group of donors, travelers or immigrants from endemic areas, the main strategy to prevent this transmission depends on the identification of these groups of donors using questionnaires during the pre-donation procedures. Additional measures, like serological testing and pathogen inactivation procedures, when available, contribute not only to reduce the risk of transmission but also to avoid unnecessary rejections.

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How to Cite

1.
Pereira BI, Nazareth C, Malcata L, Alves H, Fernández JR, Sargento C, da Cunha S. Transfusion-transmitted protozoal infections: what is the risk in non-endemic countries?. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2011 Dec. 31 [cited 2024 Dec. 12];24:897-906. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/1579

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