[Post-tranfusional malaria in France]

Area of Science:

• Medical Entomology
• Infectious Diseases
• Transfusion Medicine

Background:

• Malaria transmission via blood transfusion is a significant concern, particularly in regions with endemic malaria.
• Asymptomatic carriers, especially those with acquired immunity from endemic areas, pose a risk for transfusion-transmitted malaria.
• The persistence of malaria parasites in donors can lead to accidental transmission through blood products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the problem of malaria accidentally transmitted by blood transfusion in France over the last decade.
• To analyze biological and epidemiological factors contributing to transfusion-transmitted malaria.
• To evaluate methods for preventing malaria transmission through blood donation.

Main Methods:

• Review of global data on transfusion-transmitted malaria, with a focus on France.
• Analysis of biological factors, including parasite persistence in donors and viability in stored blood products.
• Evaluation of donor screening methods: direct microscopy vs. IFA testing.

Main Results:

• Asymptomatic infections and prolonged parasite carriage in donors from endemic areas are key transmission factors.
• Direct microscopy is impractical for screening due to low parasitemia levels.
• Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) testing is the most effective screening method for malaria in blood donors.

Conclusions:

• Screening blood donors using the IFA test is crucial for preventing transfusion-transmitted malaria.
• Specific protocols for using blood products depend on the donor's history of travel to endemic areas and IFA test results.
• For donors with extensive travel history, using blood for processed products like lyophilized plasma is safer.