Babesia microti in a Canadian blood donor and lookback in a red blood cell recipient. Issue 3 (31st August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Drews, Steven J.; Van Caeseele, Paul; Bullard, Jared; Lindsay, L. Robbin; Gaziano, Teresa; Zeller, Michelle P.; Lane, Debra; Ndao, Momar; Allen, Vanessa G.; Boggild, Andrea K.; O'Brien, Sheila F.; Marko, Daniel; Musuka, Charles; Almiski, Muhamad; Bigham, Mark
• Is Part Of: Vox sanguinis. Volume 117:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 438
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2021-08-31
• Subjects: Babesia -- haemovigilance -- protozoal infections -- transfusion‐transmitted infections; Blood -- Periodicals; Blood -- Transfusion -- Periodicals; Immunohematology -- Periodicals; Immunopathology -- Periodicals; 615.39
• DOI: 10.1111/vox.13198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0042-9007

Abstract

Abstract: Background and Objectives: We describe the third documented case of autochthonous human babesiosis in Canada and the second in a Canadian blood donor. Materials and Methods: Multiple laboratory investigations were carried out on the donor and the immunocompromised recipient of an associated, potentially infectious red blood cell product. Results: The donor had not travelled except for outdoor exposure in south‐eastern Manitoba, followed by illness and hospital admission. The donor had a notable parasitaemia, positive for Babesia microti using whole blood nucleic acid testing (NAT). The recipient was negative for B. microti by both serology and NAT. Conclusion: There was no evidence of transfusion‐transmitted babesiosis.