Infectious agents, Leptospira spp. and Bartonella spp., in blood donors from Cajamarca, Peru

Abstract

The implementation of molecular and serological tests has led a great decline in transfusion-transmitted infections. Unfortunately, however, this has only occurred in high-income countries, whereas the scenario is different in low-income countries and in rural areas of middle-income countries, in which access to serological tests is sometimes not feasible or limited by economic factors1,2. Furthermore, in middle and low-income countries, the burden of infectious diseases tends to be higher and subjects are often weakened by various factors, including malnutrition. These factors result in a population that is more vulnerable and at increased risk of infections. Although the search for relevant pathogens that can be transmitted by blood transfusion is implemented worldwide, various pathogens that can be present in blood bank donations remain under studied, as in the case of some bacteria such as Leptospira spp. and Bartonella spp. Bartonella species are re-emerging blood-borne organisms, capable of causing prolonged infections in animals and humans3, while leptospirosis is recognised as an emerging public health problem worldwide4. Both infections are considered to be neglected tropical diseases.