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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
A Multi-detection Assay for Malaria Transmitting Mosquitoes
Published on: February 28, 2015
[Malaria screening in blood donors in Cali, Colombia]
Carmen M Castillo1, Carolina Ramírez
1Centro Internacional de Entrenamiento e Investigaciones Médicas, Cali, Colombia. carmen_castillo@cideim.org.co
Insights
Implementing laboratory malaria testing for blood donors in Cali, Colombia, can increase the blood supply. Current interview-based screening excludes many potential donors due to proximity to malaria-endemic regions, though tests show they are malaria-free.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Public Health
Context:
- Blood supply shortages are critical in Cali, Colombia.
- Current malaria screening relies solely on interviews, leading to donor exclusion.
- Cali's proximity to malaria-endemic areas necessitates improved donor screening.
Purpose:
- Evaluate the efficacy of thick smear, ELISA-IgG, and ELISA-HRPII malaria tests.
- Compare these tests against a semi-nested PCR gold standard.
- Determine if laboratory tests can improve blood donor selection and increase blood availability.
Summary:
- A study in Cali evaluated three malaria tests (thick smear, ELISA-IgG, ELISA-HRPII) against PCR.
- 286 donors were tested; 115 were rejected based on travel history to endemic areas.
- None of the rejected donors tested positive for malaria using any of the three methods.
Impact:
- Laboratory testing is recommended to enhance malaria screening for at-risk blood donors.
- This can potentially increase the number of eligible blood donors.
- Further research is needed to identify the most sensitive malaria test for donor screening.
Introduction:
In Colombia, blood units for transfusions are in short supply. In Cali, a city in central western Colombia, the situation is exacerbated by a policy of scrupulous rejection of blood donors who may have been exposed to malaria infection. Cali is free of malaria transmission, but it lies close to the Pacific Coast, a highly endemic region. Currently, malaria screening in potential blood donors is based only on an interview. A more sensitive and objective malaria test will increase the number of acceptable donors and, hence, increase the available blood supply.
Objective:
Three malaria tests were evaluated, thick smear, ELISA-IgG and ELISA-HRPII, using a semi-nested PCR as gold standard.
Material And Methods:
The study was undertaken in a blood bank of Cali, from February to May 2002, where 286 individuals were examined. Blood thick smear, ELISA-IgG and ELISA-HRPII (Pan Malaria Antibody ELISA and Malaria Ag CELISA) results were compared to semi-nested PCR data.
Results:
Of the 286 donors tested, 115 were rejected because of a history of traveling or living in a malaria endemic area within the last year. However, none of these applicants were malaria-positive using the three testing methods.
Conclusion:
To improve the screening process, laboratory tests for malaria are recommended for donors who are exposed to a risk of malaria infection. Additional studies are necessary for selection of most sensitive test, however.
