[Prevention of post-transfusional malaria]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Transfusion Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Post-transfusion malaria remains a concern, particularly in regions with Plasmodium Falciparum prevalence.
• Effective screening of blood donors is crucial to prevent malaria transmission via blood transfusions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of a combined donor questioning and antibody detection protocol for identifying blood donors at risk of Plasmodium Falciparum infection.
• To evaluate the protocol's impact on blood supply safety and availability over a four-year period.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a protocol involving donor interviews and serological testing using an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for Plasmodium Falciparum antibodies.
• Analysis of the percentage of blood donations excluded and reintegrated into the inventory.
• Geographic mapping of infection origins to identify high-risk areas.

Main Results:

• The protocol led to the exclusion of 0.41% of blood donations due to risk of Plasmodium Falciparum.
• 1032 excluded units were reintegrated into the inventory without reported transfusion incidents.
• Geographic analysis confirmed known high-risk areas and identified previously unsuspected regions for malaria transmission.

Conclusions:

• The described low-cost protocol is a satisfactory method for detecting blood donors at risk of harboring Plasmodium Falciparum in the absence of automated or direct parasitemia detection assays.
• The protocol enhances blood transfusion safety by minimizing the risk of post-transfusional malaria.
• Continued vigilance and geographic surveillance are important for managing malaria risk in blood donations.