Relationship between tick bites and the seroprevalence of <i>Babesia microti</i> and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophila</i> (previously <i>Ehrlichia</i> sp.) in blood donors

Abstract

Blood donors seropositive for B. microti and A. phagocytophila are present in Connecticut and Wisconsin. Donors readily recall previous tick bites, but self-reported bites are not reliable indicators of serologic status. The exposure of blood donors to tick-borne pathogens does suggest a need to better understand the transfusion transmission potential of these agents.