Current Concepts on Transmission of Bacteria and Parasites by Blood Components

Treponema pallidum

“…The mean incubation period of 3 weeks (see 1.2) and the fact that TPHA/TP-PA and EIA generally become positive 2 weeks after infection (see below) further re-inforce the low probability of such events. Infection via the blood of seronegative donors in the incubation period, who subsequently developed antibodies, has nevertheless been described in isolated instances [15,21,47]. As already mentioned in 1.1, the duration of infectivity of T. pallidum ssp.…”

“…Since transfusion-related syphilis was first described in 1915 [1], reports of over 200 cases in total have been published [15,18]. Early studies reported in 1941 on 138 cases documented up to that date, but the authors presumed that the number of unreported cases was very high.…”

“…T. pallidum ssp. pallidum also survives for a few weeks in frozen plasma [15]. It has additionally been reported in several clinical and animal studies that the bacteria remained infectious in citrated blood at 4 °C for between 24 and 120 h [16][17][18].…”

Syphilis and Blood Safety in Developing Countries

“…Moreover, the treponemes are relatively fragile and sensitive to cold; storage below +20°c for more than 72 hours destroys the organism and reduces dramatically the infectious risk. Although clearly potentially infectious, the risk of transmission through the transfusion of blood and blood components stored below +20°c is very low (Orton, 2001;Wendel, 1994). Platelet concentrates usually stored at a temperature above +20°C or blood directly transfused few hours after collection comprises a higher risk of transmitting syphilis.…”

“…Yaws and pinta may potentially be transmitted by transfusion, but few data is available. Bejel is unlikely to be transmitted and infect individuals (Chambers & al., 1969;Wendel, 1994). These diseases usually have clear symptoms that would lead to donor deferral.…”