Blackwell Publishing LtdMalaria and blood transfusion

The transmission of malaria by blood transfusion was one of the first recorded inci-dents of transfusion-transmitted infection. Although a number of different infections have been reported to be transmitted by transfusion since then, on a global scale malaria remains one of the most common transfusion-transmitted infections. Transfusion-transmitted malaria can have serious consequences, as infection with Plasmodium falciparum may prove rapidly fatal. Ensuring that, in non-endemic countries, the blood supply is free from malaria is problematical, especially as travel to malarious areas is increasing and there is some spread of the disease into new areas, as well as a resurgence of malaria in areas where previously it had been eradi-cated. In non-endemic countries, donor deferral can be effective, but clear guidelines are needed. In endemic countries the problem is far greater as the majority of donors may be potentially infected with malaria parasites. In both situations, the simple deferral of donors may be wasteful and can eventually erode the donor base. Thus, other strategies are needed to ensure safety with sufficiency. However, the screenin