Preventing transfusion-transmitted infections: issues related to migrating populations and increasing world travel.
Blood donations by emigrants or other travelers from distant lands require special attention for the prevention of transfusion-transmitted infections. The human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) is only one of several bloodborne viruses that may be introduced into non-epidemic areas by transfusion and spread further by sexual intercourse, needles shared by drug users or mother-child transmission. Although transfusion-transmitted parasites, such as Trypanosoma cruzi, do not spread further in non-endemic areas in the absence of specific vectors, such unlikely infections may cause serious disease before a diagnosis is made. The challenges posed by transfusion-transmitted infections in a shrinking world require specific preventive strategies and enhanced clinical awareness for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Georgetown University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC 20007.
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D001782:Blood Donors; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D015498:HIV-2; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D013587:Syphilis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014195:Travel