Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/112426
Title: | Strategies for reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted leishmaniasis in an area endemic for Leishmania infantum: a patient- and donor-targeted approach |
Author: | Jimenez-Marco, Teresa Riera Lizandra, Ma. Cristina Girona-Llobera, Enrique Guillen, Carmen Iniesta González, Laura Alcover Amengual, Maria Magdalena Berenguer, Diana Pujol Brugués, Alba Tomás Pérez, Míriam Cancino Faure, María Beatriz Serra, Teresa Mascaró, Martín Gascó, Joan Fisa Saladrigas, Roser |
Keywords: | Leishmania infantum Donants de sang Transfusió de sang Illes Balears Leishmania infantum Blood donors Blood transfusion Balearic Islands |
Issue Date: | 15-Mar-2017 |
Publisher: | Edizioni SIMTI |
Abstract: | Background. In the Balearic Islands, as in other areas of the Mediterranean basin, there is a significant proportion of asymptomatic Leishmania (L.) infantum-infected blood donors, who may represent an important threat to transfusion safety. The Balearic Islands blood bank, located in an area endemic for L. infantum, carried out a study of donors and patients to investigate the impact of this infectious disease on blood safety in the region. Materials and methods. Twenty asymptomatic Leishmania-infected blood donors were followed-up between 2008 and 2011 to investigate the evolution of Leishmania infection in asymptomatic carriers. Their blood was periodically tested for anti-Leishmania antibodies by western blot and for Leishmania DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, the prevalence of L. infantum infection was investigated in a group of 68 multiply transfused patients to ascertain the risk of transfusion-transmitted leishmaniasis (TTL) in the region, taking into account regular blood component production practices such as pre-storage leucodepletion and pathogen reduction technology. Results. All 20 donors remained asymptomatic over the study period (2008-2011). Most donors had repeatedly positive qPCR results, either persistently or intermittently, but showed no symptoms of Leishmaniasis. Levels of parasitaemia were remarkably low in asymptomatic donors, with values ≤1 parasite/mL. Despite multiple transfusions received over 15 years, no transfused patient studied was infected with L. infantum. Discussion. L. infantum-infected donors can remain asymptomatic for at least 3 years. In our region, no cases of TTL were detected, despite an active search in multiply transfused patients. This seems to be related to two independent variables: (i) a low concentration of the parasite in the peripheral blood of asymptomatic carriers and (ii) the application of methods with proven efficacy against TTL, such as leucodepletion and pathogen reduction technology. |
Note: | Reproducció del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.2450/2017.0201-16 |
It is part of: | Blood Transfusion, 2017 |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2445/112426 |
Related resource: | https://doi.org/10.2450/2017.0201-16 |
ISSN: | 1723-2007 |
Appears in Collections: | Articles publicats en revistes (Biologia, Sanitat i Medi Ambient) |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
671441.pdf | 1.3 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.