Next on #Blooducation101 we take a look at Syphilis, HTLV and Chagas screening. I would grab my coffee☕️ for a cool 3-in-1 read.😀Let's begin with some fun facts... Did you know? 🩸Syphilis was the first transfusion-transmitted disease (TTD) for which blood supply was screened in the USA. It was however more commonly recognized as a TTD prior to World War II. 🩸Human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) were the first human retroviruses discovered and can be transmitted by transfusion of cellular blood products. @HermelinMD @MarkJedrzejczak @AABB @pathtwitter @pathX
🩸HTLV-1 & II predominately infect CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, respectively. Do you think leukoreduction would be as effective as testing? Is testing needed? Check out this WHO info: who.int/news-room/fact…. @HermelinMD @MarkJedrzejczak @AABB @pathtwitter @pathx
🩸Chagas disease is caused by T. cruzi, a protozoan parasite transmitted by the triatomine bug 🪲. FDA licensed screening (ELISA) and confirmatory tests (multi-step enzyme strip immunoassay) are used to ensure safe blood supply. More facts from the CDC: cdc.gov/parasites/chag… @HermelinMD @MarkJedrzejczak @AABB @pathtwitter
😀 Let's consolidate our learning with a question: HTLV-1 is predominantly cell associated, therefore leukoreduction may be as effective as blood donation screening in preventing transmission. True or False?
🩸Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, is mostly considered a sexually transmitted disease. Although cases were seen before WWII, no cases of transfusion-transmitted syphilis have been seen since 1966! However, testing still plays a role in donor safety which consists of both treponemal and non-treponemal tests @HermelinMD @MarkJedrzejczak @AABB @pathtwitter
Thank you for participating! Answer: True. Source: who.int/news-room/fact…