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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Quantitative 3D Imaging of Trypanosoma cruzi-Infected Cells, Dormant Amastigotes, and T Cells in Intact Clarified Organs
Published on: June 23, 2022
Trypanosoma cruzi infection in transfusion medicine
Lina Andrea Gómez1, Fredy R S Gutierrez2, Oscar Andres Peñuela3
1Biomedical Research Center (CIBUS), School of Medicine, Universidad de la Sabana, Chía, Colombia.
Introduction:
Infection by Trypanosoma cruzi is challenging to blood bank supplies in terms of accurate diagnosis, mostly due to its clinical complexity. Infected individuals may remain asymptomatic for years, albeit they may have circulating parasites potentially transferable to eventual receptors of a transfusion.
Objective:
Although risk donors are systematically excluded through a survey, an important residual risk for transmission remains, evidencing the need to implement additional actions for the detection of T. cruzi in blood banks.
Method:
A review of the scientific literature is presented with the objective of identifying relevant publications on this subject.
Results:
We discuss the diagnostic considerations of this chronic infection on transfusion medicine and some recent advances in the processing of blood and derivatives units.
Conclusion:
Finally, recommendations are made on how the transmission of T. cruzi can be avoided through the implementation of better diagnostic and pathogen control measures at blood banks.
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