Transcription-mediated amplification blood donation screening for Babesia.

Background: Transfusion-transmitted Babesia microti is well recognized in the Northeast and upper Midwestern United States. Blood donation screening in Babesia-endemic states has occurred under investigational protocols prior to US Food and Drug Administration-licensed test availability. Here, we provide a prospective screening summary of nucleic acid testing (NAT) as part of a multicenter Babesia pivotal trial followed by extended investigational use.

Prevalence of Babesia in Canadian blood donors: June-October 2018.

Background: The erythrocytic protozoan parasite Babesia microti, the cause of human babesiosis, is transmitted not only by tick bites but also via blood transfusion. B. microti is endemic in the northeastern/upper midwestern United States, where partial screening of blood donations has been implemented.

Frequency of Trypanosoma cruzi parasitemia among infected blood donors with a potential association between parasite lineage and transfusion transmission.

Background: Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic to the Americas where it demonstrates multiple lineages over a vast geographic range (i.e., United States to Argentina).

Do leukoreduction filters passively reduce the transmission risk of human granulocytic anaplasmosis?

Background: Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum, poses an increasing public health risk in the United States. Since 2000, case reports have increased annually; 2782 cases were reported in 2013. Despite the increasing frequency of clinical cases, only eight cases of transfusion-transmitted anaplasmosis (TTA) have been reported.