Prevention strategies of transfusion-transmitted parasitic infections (TTPIs): Strengths and challenges of current approaches, and evaluation of the strategies implemented in Iran

Parasite Epidemiology and Control
Ahmad Mardani

Abstract

Several strategies are being implemented in blood transfusion centers of the world to prevent the transfusion-transmitted parasitic infections (TTPIs). The objective of this study was to determine and describe the strategies to minimize the transmission risk of parasitic agents via blood transfusion in Iran. This study was conducted in the Iranian blood transfusion organization (IBTO). The data were extracted from the latest version of the "medical interview" standard operating procedure (SOP). The donor selection is the first and only step to reduce the risk of TTPIs in endemic and non-endemic areas of Iran. In all blood transfusion centers of the IBTO, the blood donation volunteers with a previous history of malaria, Chagas disease, visceral leishmaniasis (VL), muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis and babesiosis, as well as those with clinical toxoplasmosis, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and with a history of residence in, or travel to, malaria-endemic areas are permanently or temporarily deferred from the blood donation. Since malaria, toxoplasmosis and VL are endemic in parts of Iran, as well as the increasing travels to endemic areas and immigrations from endemic to non-endemic areas of parasitic infections, the extensive use of bl...Continue Reading

Methods Mentioned

BETA
enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
blood donation

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