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Preparation and Pathogen Inactivation of Double Dose Buffy Coat Platelet Products using the INTERCEPT Blood System
Published on: December 7, 2012
[Control of transfusional transmission]
Helio Moraes-Souza1, Márcia Maria Ferreira-Silva
1Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil. helio.moraes@dcm.uftm.edu.br
Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira De Medicina Tropical
|May 18, 2011
Summary
Chagas disease transmission via blood transfusions significantly decreased in Brazil due to vector control and donor screening. However, migration has made Chagas disease a global concern, requiring new strategies for transfusion safety.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chagas disease was primarily transmitted through blood transfusions in Latin America during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Vector control and serologic screening of blood donors dramatically reduced transmission rates in Brazil.
- Migration has introduced Chagas disease to non-endemic regions, posing a global health risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the historical trends and current challenges of Chagas disease transmission through blood transfusions.
- To evaluate the impact of control strategies in endemic and non-endemic countries.
- To discuss future directions for managing transfusion-transmitted Chagas disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on Chagas disease prevalence and transmission.
- Analysis of blood donor screening and vector control program outcomes.
- Assessment of Chagas disease spread due to international migration.
Main Results:
- Transfusion-transmitted Chagas disease rates in Brazil decreased from 20,000 to 13 annually over four decades.
- Seropositivity in Brazilian blood donors dropped from 6.9% to 0.2%.
- Chagas disease is now a global issue due to migration, affecting non-endemic countries.
Conclusions:
- Effective vector control and blood donor screening are crucial for preventing Chagas disease transmission.
- Managing Chagas disease in non-endemic countries requires addressing challenges like inconclusive test results and donor guidelines.
- Integrated strategies are essential for worldwide control of vector-borne and transfusion-transmitted Chagas disease.
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