Prevalence of Babesia in Canadian blood donors: June-October 2018

Transfusion
Laura TonnettiSusan L Stramer

Abstract

The erythrocytic protozoan parasite Babesia microti, the cause of human babesiosis, is transmitted not only by tick bites but also via blood transfusion. B. microti is endemic in the northeastern/upper midwestern United States, where partial screening of blood donations has been implemented. In Canada, a 2013 study of approximately 14,000 donors found no B. microti antibody-positive samples, suggesting low risk at that time. Between June and October 2018, 50,752 Canadian donations collected from sites near the US border were tested for Babesia nucleic acid by transcription-mediated amplification (TMA). Reactive donations were tested for B. microti by IgG immunofluorescence assay and polymerase chain reaction. A subset of 14,758 TMA nonreactive samples was also screened for B. microti antibody. Donors who tested reactive/positive were deferred, asked about risk factors, and were requested to provide a follow-up sample for supplemental testing. One sample from Winnipeg, Manitoba, was TMA and antibody reactive. Of the 14,758 TMA-nonreactive donations tested for antibody, four reactive donations were identified from southwestern Ontario near Lake Erie. None of the interviewed donors remembered any symptoms, likely tick exposure, or...Continue Reading

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Citations

Nov 10, 2020·Vox Sanguinis·Sheila F O'BrienUNKNOWN Surveillance, Risk Assessment, Policy Sub-group of the ISBT Transfusion Transmitted Infectious Diseases Working Party
Mar 4, 2021·Parasites & Vectors·Katarzyna TołkaczMałgorzata Bednarska
Jul 18, 2021·Transfusion·Sheila F O'BrienGilles Delage
Nov 18, 2021·Pathogens and Global Health·Solomon Ngutor KarshimaMusa Isiyaku Ahmed

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Babesiosis is caused by parasites of the genus babesia, which are transmitted in nature by the bite of an infected tick. Discover the latest research on babesiosis here.

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Babesiosis is caused by parasites of the genus babesia, which are transmitted in nature by the bite of an infected tick. Discover the latest research on babesiosis here.