Toxoplasmosis in Blood Donors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Detection of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis amongst multi-transfused thalassemia patients in southwest of Iran

“…Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in healthy blood donors range from 1-75% worldwide [9]. Also, in some studies conducted in different geographical areas of Iran, the prevalence rate of T. gondii amongst blood donors from southern, southeastern and northern regions was reported 19.3%, 25%, 56.4%, respectively, which indicates existence of this infectious agent in all major areas of the country [9].…”

Toxoplasma gondii: Are There any Implications for Routine Blood Screening?

“…Toxoplasma gondii is considered as a transfusion-transmissible infection. In addition to blood-borne transmission, Toxoplasma could enter an intermediate host by food-borne (consuming raw meat), and zoonotic (ingesting oocysts shed by infected cats), congenital (mother to fetus) routes as well as organ transplantation (1,(3)(4)(5). Risk of transmission of toxoplasmosis by blood transfusion from seemingly asymptomatic and healthy individuals, who are carriers of infection, places an extra burden on the global population, especially where toxoplasmosis is more common.…”

“…Risk of transmission of toxoplasmosis by blood transfusion from seemingly asymptomatic and healthy individuals, who are carriers of infection, places an extra burden on the global population, especially where toxoplasmosis is more common. Seropositive individuals, particularly those at the acute stage of infection may possess a remarkable role in transmission (5,6). Some reports have documented the transmission of parasites by transfusion of blood and leukocytes or the viability of parasites in citrated blood at 5°C for more than 50 days (7,8).…”

“…Blood products are often donated to patients with sickle cell anemia, aplastic anemia, thalassemia, cancer chemotherapy, and to those who are treated with immunosuppressive agents, such as transplantation recipients. Since pre-transfusion screening for T. gondii has not yet been considered, vulnerable clinical groups, such as immunocompromised patients, were at high risk for acute and severe toxoplasmosis by donated blood (5,9,10).…”

“…In a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, seroprevalence of T. gondii in blood donors was reported as 33% (95% CI, 28% to 39%) from a global perspective (5). According to some documentations with regards to T. gondii viability in blood products for several weeks, the risk of transmission of this infectious agent will be increased by blood transfusion.…”