A case of vertical transmission of Chagas disease contracted via blood transfusion in Canada.

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is endemic in many countries in Latin America, where infected bugs of the Triatominea subfamily carry the parasite in the gut and transmit it to humans through fecal contamination of a bite. However, vertical transmission and transmission through blood transfusion and organ transplantation is well documented. Increasing immigration from endemic countries to North America has prompted blood operators, including Canadian Blood Services and Hema Quebec, to initiate blood donor testing for Chagas antibody.

Selective testing for Trypanosoma cruzi: the first year after implementation at Canadian Blood Services.

Background: Various testing strategies may reduce the risk of Chagas disease transmission in nonendemic, low-prevalence countries. Results of the first year of selective testing of at-risk donors at Canadian Blood Services are reported.

Study Design And Methods: Since February 2009, platelets were not produced from at-risk donors.