Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum/chagasi infection in blood donors of western Sicily.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the risk of transfusion-transmitted visceral leishmaniasis was present in an area of western Sicily where the incidence of the disease is higher than the regional average. From May to December 2005, 1449 blood donors from Agrigento district (Sicily, Italy) were screened for the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies by an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Blood samples from IFAT-positive donors were examined by PCR to detect Leishmania DNA. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were found in 11 (0.75%) cases, among which Leishmania DNA was detected from four (36.4%). Particular techniques to inactivate different pathogens would be considered mandatory in the case of immunosuppressed recipients.
Scarlata
Francesco
F
Istituto Patologia Infettiva e Virologia, Università di Palermo, Via del Vespro, 127, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
Vitale
Fabrizio
F
Saporito
Laura
L
Reale
Stefano
S
Vecchi
Valentina Li
VL
Giordano
Salvatore
S
Infurnari
Laura
L
Occhipinti
Francesco
F
Titone
Lucina
L
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan