Detection of asymptomatic Leishmania infection in blood donors at two blood banks in Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a disease caused by Leishmania parasites. While predominantly transmitted by sandflies, cases of VL transmitted through blood transfusion have been reported, particularly in immunocompromised recipients. Although Leishmania parasites have been found in blood donors in some VL endemic areas, this has never been studied in East-Africa, where HIV prevalence is relatively high. We established the prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania infection and associated socio-demographic factors among blood donors presenting at two blood bank sites (Metema and Gondar) in northwest Ethiopia between June and December 2020. Metema is located in a VL-endemic area; Gondar has historically been considered VL non-endemic but as an outbreak of VL has occurred around Gondar, it was d

SUBMITTER: Mohammed R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10030029 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature