Emerging infectious diseases · 2016 · 37 citations · 11 references
Life SciencesBiologyInfectious DiseasesParasite EpidemiologyParasitologyTransfusion MedicineBlood Parasite DiagnosisBlood ParasitesClinical ParasitologyMedical ParasitologyParasitic ZoonosesZoonotic Parasitic DiseasesBabesia DiagnosisBabesiosis EpidemiologyBabesiosis TransmissionClinical Diagnosis Of Parasitic DiseasesTransfusion-transmitted ParasitesTransfusion-transmitted Parasitic Infections
To investigate human babesiosis in the Bolivian Chaco, in 2013 we tested blood samples from 271 healthy persons living in 2 rural communities in this region. Microscopy and PCR indicated that 3.3% of persons were positive for Babesia microti parasites (US lineage); seroprevalence was 45.7%. Appropriate screening should mitigate the risk for transfusion-associated babesiosis.
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