title: Antibodies to Leptospira among blood donors in higher-risk areas of Australia: possible implications for transfusion safety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leptospirosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonoses worldwide, and clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic infection to acute febrile illness, multi-organ failure and death. Asymptomatic, acute bacteraemia in a blood donor provides a potential for transfusion-transmission, although only a single such case from India has been recorded. Human leptospirosis is uncommon in developed countries; however, the state of Queensland in Australia has one of the highest rates among developed countries, especially after increased rainfall. This study examined the prevalence of antibodies to Leptospira spp. in blood donors residing in higher-risk areas of Australia, to evaluate the appropriateness of current blood safety guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma samples collected from blood donors residing in higher-risk areas of Australia during 2009 and 2011 were included in the study. All samples were tested for the presence of antibodies to 22 leptospiral serovars using the microscopic agglutination test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No sample had antibody titres suggestive of a current or recent infection, however, seven samples (1.44%, 95% CI: 0.38-2.50%) had titres suggestive of a past infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides data that may support the appropriateness of current relevant donor selection policies in Australia. Given that the risk profile for leptospirosis is expanding and that the infection is likely to become more prevalent with climate change, this disease may become more of a concern for transfusion safety in the future.
authors: Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Helen
authors: H
authors: Faddy
authors: Medical Services, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors: Clive
authors: C
authors: Seed
authors: WHO Collaborating Centre for Children's Health and the Environment, Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Colleen
authors: C
authors: Lau
authors: School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Racloz
authors: Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Flower
authors: Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Lee
authors: L
authors: Smythe
authors: Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Mary-Anne
authors: MA
authors: Burns
authors: Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Dohnt
authors: School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Brisbane, QLD, Australia Faculty of Science Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
authors: Scott
authors: S
authors: Craig
authors: Medical Services, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Harley
authors: Barbara Hardy Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors: Philip
authors: P
authors: Weinstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D001782:Blood Donors; D046148:Donor Selection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007919:Leptospira; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011793:Queensland
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial