The use of malaria antibody tests in the prevention of transfusion-transmitted malaria.

摘要

The International Forum of Vox Sanguinis is meant to obtain information concerning important and/or controversial subjects of transfusion medicine. Transfusion-transmitted malaria is severe and often fatal. The measures taken to prevent it in non-endemic areas have been successful, although cases still occur occasionally. However, the number of immigrants from and travellers to endemic areas has increased considerably and is still increasing. Furthermore, new tests have been developed to detect Plasmodium antibodies and are used for selected group of donors in various blood centres. Also, tests to detect Plasmodium antigens and nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) for parasite DNA have been developed. It seemed therefore of interest to evaluate the preventive measures taken at present in non-endemic areas. To obtain the relevant information, the following questions were sent to transfusion services.