Mechanisms of transfusion-linked parasite infection.
Besides bacteriae and viruses, parasite infections can be transmitted by blood as a consequence of blood transfusion. To be transmitted by blood transfusion, parasites must: -i) circulate in the blood stream of donors, -ii) comprise of certain physical characteristics and resist processing steps leading to the preparation of labile blood products (packed red blood cells, therapeutic frozen plasma, or platelet concentrates), -iii) survive conservation; further, to generate infection in the blood receiver, such parasites must retain infectivity. In this Forum, the main characteristics of parasites-with respect to transmissibility by blood exposure-are recalled. This forum will further discuss each of these topics and try to make an issue with possible risks in transfusion, in countries that are either non-endemic for the given parasite or which can afford implementation of preventive measures.
Garraud
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Etablissement français du sang Auvergne-Loire, 25, boulevard Pasteur, 42023 Saint-Etienne-cedex, France; EA-3064, faculté de médecine, université Jean-Monnet de Saint-Etienne, France. olivier.garraud@efs.sante.fr
D000818:Animals; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D014019:Tissue Donors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction