JPAC Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee

South American Trypanosomiasis

Also Known As

Chagas disease.

1. Affected Individual
Obligatory

Must not donate.

Additional Information

South American trypanosomiasis is caused by infection with a protozoal parasite, trypanosoma cruzi. It is a persistent infection that is known to be transmitted by transfusion. At present there is no certain cure for the infection, so anyone who has ever been infected cannot donate.

Reason for change

'Additional Information' has been amended.

2. Risk
Obligatory

Must not donate if:

a) Born in South America or Central America (including Mexico).

b) Mother was born in South America or Central America (including Mexico).

c) Has had a transfusion in South America or Central America (including Mexico).

d) Has lived and/or worked in rural subsistence farming communities in these countries for a continuous period of four weeks or more.

Discretionary

If at least four months following the date of last exposure (or if transfused prior to 1980) and a validated test for T.cruzi antibody is negative, accept.

 

See if Relevant

Geographical Disease Risk Index for countries with T. cruzi risk
Transfusion

Additional Information

Infection with T. cruzi is very common in many parts of South or Central America and is often symptomless. It can be passed from an infected mother to her unborn baby and by transfusion. The insect that passes the infection on is only common in rural areas and the greater time that an individual has spent living in housing conditions with thatched roofs or mud lined walls which harbour the insect vector, the greater their risk of becoming infected. Testing is available and should be performed if there is a possibility of infection. Waiting four months from the last time of exposure allows time for the antibodies that are tested for to develop.

Camping or trekking in the jungle in South or Central America (including Mexico) is not considered of high enough risk to merit exclusion.

 

Reason for change

Geographical description of risk areas amended to include all Mexico. Also reduction of deferral period before testing from six months to four months.

Information

This is a requirement of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005.

Donor Information

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Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.

Update Information

This entry was last updated in:
DSG-WB Edition 203, Release 55.