Screening Blood Donors for Plasmodium falciparum Malariae

Abstract

Prevention of post-transfusion malaria remains a worrying problem. Until now it was very difficult to obtain homologous antigens, and immunologic methods used to detect malaria were expensive. We tested the ready-to-use Plasmodium falciparum prepared slides using the IFA (indirect fluorescent antibody) test on 866 selected potentially dangerous donors and known malaria cases. We found that it is a simple, quick, reliable and inexpensive method that can be easily used by blood banks and improve blood transfusion safety.

Which Are the Appropriate Modifications of Existing Regulations Designed to Prevent the Transmission of Malaria by Blood Transfusion, in View of the Increasing Frequency of Travel to Endemic Areas?

“…The threat is mag nified when one considers that the onslaught is directed at population groups who, in most instances, may be classi fied as nonimmuine subjects with little or no resistance (1)(2)(3)(4).…”

“…The same measure may be applied to individuals with a his tory of malaria in the absence of symptoms and treatment during the last 3 years. The above mentioned actions have been recommended by the Council of Europe (1984), considering that appropriate serological tests are avail able for the detection of latent malaria [1].…”

“…Hässig, Berne P. Ambroise-Thomas: Among posttransfusional acci dents, malaria, formerly very unusual, is becoming more and more frequent in nonendemic countries, whether they are developing nations or not [1], This risk increases as international exchanges and emigration from endemic areas increase the proportion of blood donors that might have been in contact with the disease.…”