Molecular Screening for Malaria Parasitemia among Blood Donors: A Regional Transfusion Center Study in Pakistan

Authors

  • Mohammad Abdul Naeem Molecular Transfusion Department Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion
  • Muhammad Ali Ratho Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion FCPS (Virology), Department of Blood Screening
  • Anum Javed AF Institute of Transfusion (AFIT) Rawalpindi Department of Blood Screening
  • Mansoor Ishaq Raja AF Institute of Transfusion (AFIT) Rawalpindi Molecular Transfusion Department
  • Maria Khan AF Institute of Transfusion (AFIT) Rawalpindi Molecular Transfusion Department

Keywords:

Blood safety, Malaria, Molecular testing

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out to determine asymptomatic malaria parasitemia among blood donors using molecular method and frame guidelines for malaria screening in blood banks of Northern Pakistan.

Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1000 asymptomatic blood donors were enrolled between April and September, 2019. DNA extraction, amplification and detection of targeted gene (18S small subunit rRNA) was carried out using DNA extraction kit and Real Time PCR system respectively. Any sample found positive was retested for confirmation. Malaria parasitemia was expressed as percentage using descriptive statistics.

Results: Among 1000 asymptomatic donors, all donors were males with a median age of 30.0 years. Malarial parasite was detected in 0.1% blood donors (n=1/1000). Upon retesting of positive sample by another RT-PCR system, consistent results were obtained. Donor questionnaire did not reveal any history of previous exposure.

Conclusion: Malaria appears to be very uncommon in asymptomatic male blood donors and screening by NAT would not be economical. Adding effective donor screening criteria is suggested.

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Published

2022-01-23

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2021): July-December

Section

Original Article

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Journal of Haematology and Stem Cell Research

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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