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Removal · field guidance

Babesiosis blood-bank screening

Since 2019, FDA has required Babesia microti screening of whole-blood donations in 15 endemic states using licensed nucleic-acid and antibody tests.

Steps

schema.org/HowTo
  1. 01
    Donor blood from endemic states is screened with FDA-licensed assays for Babesia microti.
  2. 02
    Screening combines nucleic-acid testing (NAT) for active parasitemia and antibody testing.
  3. 03
    Reactive donations are removed from the supply and donors notified.
  4. 04
    The policy reduced transfusion-transmitted babesiosis substantially in subsequent years.
  5. 05
    Recipients with unexplained hemolytic anemia after transfusion should still be evaluated for Babesia.

Wild facts

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