Asymptomatic carriage of malaria parasites in blood donors in Yaoundé

Background: Malaria can be transmitted through blood transfusion, but there is paucity of data concerning transfusion‐transmitted malaria in Cameroun. Objective: To determine prevalence of malaria infection and association with epidemiological and clinical data obtained from donors' responses. Methods: Microscopic examination of stained thick and thin blood smears for the detection, quantification and specification of Plasmodium sp was performed on 493 blood donors in two main hospitals in Yaoundé during October and November 2007. Results: Overall 6·5% of blood donors were detected positive for Plasmodium sp infection: 90·6% was Plasmodium falciparum and 9·4% was Plasmodium malariae. Parasite counts ranged from 80 to 800 µL^?1 with a median of 320 µL^?1. Asexual and sexual forms were found in 75·9 and 24·1% of cases, respectively. Age, sex, type of blood donor (voluntary non‐remunerated vs familial/replacement) and fate of blood donation (selected vs discarded) did not affect the prevalence of malaria carriage. The lack of malaria prophylaxis as well as the manifestation of malaria symptoms within 2 weeks and 1 month preceding blood donation were significantly associated with high frequency of parasites carriage. Conclusion: Malaria parasites carriage is frequent among blood donors in Yaoundé. These data seem to describe high‐risk donor profile and may help improving blood safety related to transfusion‐transmitted malaria in Cameroon.     

Turbid plasma donations in whole blood donors: fat chance?

BACKGROUND: Blood donations resulting in “nontransparent turbid milky” plasma must be discarded. The aim of this study was to objectively determine opacity and to identify risk factors for turbid plasma donations. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This case‐control study included 238 whole blood donors who provided turbid plasma (cases) and 309 random control subjects with normal plasma. Participants filled in a questionnaire regarding cardiovascular risk factors. Fat intake was assessed using a validated questionnaire. Opacity and lipids were measured. Additional data were retrieved from the blood bank information system. Mean differences and odds ratios were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Cases had a less favorable cardiovascular profile compared to control subjects. The usual intake of fat was not associated with turbid plasma donation. In a multivariate model, having dinner before donation (OR, 4.9; 95% CI, 2.2‐11.1), triglyceride levels (OR, 7.1; 95% CI, 4.6‐10.8), and smoking (OR_{yes vs. no}, 2.5; 95% CI, 0.9‐6.7; and OR_{ever vs. no}, 5.7; 95% CI, 1.8‐18.4) were associated with an increased risk. Opacity was clearly increased in turbid plasma. Total cholesterol levels were 0.51 (95% CI, 0.35‐0.66) mmol/L and triglyceride levels 4.28 (95% CI, 3.92‐4.68) mmol/L higher in cases. High‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were 0.34 (95% CI, ?0.39 to ?0.30) mmol/L lower. Forty‐two percent of all cases had very high triglyceride levels (≥5.65 mmol/L) compared to less than 1% of control subjects. CONCLUSION: Donors who provided a turbid donation have a less favorable cardiovascular profile compared to other donors. Having dinner, high triglyceride levels, and smoking are independent risk factors for turbid plasma donations.