Transfusion-Transmitted Malaria in Iran: A Narrative Review Article
Ahmad Mardani1, Hossein Keshavarz2, Ali Akbar Pourfathollah1
1Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Malaria is the most important transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) in worldwide after viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The main objective of the present study was to review and evaluate the transmission of malaria via blood transfusion in Iran.
Methods:
A literature search was done without time limitation in the electronic databases as follows: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, scientific information database (SID), Magiran, IranMedex and Irandoc. The searches were limited to the published papers to English and Persian languages.
Results:
Six papers were eligible. From 1963 to 1983, 344 cases of Transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) had been reported from different provinces of Iran. The most prevalent species of involved Plasmodium in investigated cases of TTM was Plasmodium malariae (79.24%). The screening results of 1,135 blood donors for malaria were negative by microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) methods.
Conclusion:
Lack of TTM report from Iran in the last three decades indicates that the screening of blood donors through interviewing (donor selection) may be effective in the prevention of the occurrence of transfusion-transmitted malaria.
Insights
Transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) was historically significant in Iran, primarily caused by Plasmodium malariae. Current donor screening methods appear effective in preventing TTM, as no cases have been reported in decades.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
- Public Health
Background:
- Malaria is a major transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI) globally, second only to viral hepatitis and HIV.
- Transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) poses a significant public health challenge.
Conclusions:
- The absence of reported TTM cases in the last 30 years suggests the effectiveness of current blood donor screening protocols.
- Interviewer-based donor selection is a crucial strategy in preventing transfusion-transmitted malaria.
