Transfusion-induced malaria from an asymptomatic carrier

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Transfusion Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Malaria transmission through blood transfusion presents a persistent risk, even in non-endemic regions.
• Current blood donation criteria may not adequately identify all asymptomatic malaria carriers.
• Unexplained fever post-transfusion necessitates consideration of malaria.

Observation:

• A case study identified an asymptomatic malaria carrier meeting American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) standards as the source of transfusion-induced malaria.
• The donor was asymptomatic despite residing in a malaria-free area for an extended period.

Findings:

• Asymptomatic individuals can harbor persistent malarial species capable of transmission.
• Existing screening protocols may not detect all carriers of these persistent species.

Implications:

• Healthcare providers must consider malaria in unexplained post-transfusion fevers.
• Stricter donor screening for individuals with a history of residing in malarious regions is crucial.
• Enhanced diagnostic awareness and criteria are needed to prevent transfusion-transmitted malaria.