Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Selection of Plasmodium falciparum Parasites for Cytoadhesion to Human Brain Endothelial Cells
Published on: January 3, 2012
Parasitic infections and their impact on blood donor selection and testing
1Division of Transfusion Medicine, Immunology, and Infectious Disease Diagnostics, Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center.
Abstract:
There is currently less than a one in a million chance that a blood transfusion within the United States will be complicated by a parasitic infection. However, changes in population demographics and increases in international travel and immigration may all contribute to an increase in the number of parasitemic individuals who present as prospective blood donors. Consequently, a need may arise to develop new policies to prevent transfusion-transmitted parasitic infections. In the present review, the following parasitic infections of concern to the safety of the US blood supply will be discussed: malaria, Chagas' disease, babesiosis, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, and microfilariasis.
Related Concept Videos
Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
Blood Transfusion
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
Malaria
Toxoplasmosis
American Trypanosomiasis
Amebiasis

