Prevalence of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in 1975, in two blood banks in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

The results of an American Trypanosomiasis serologic survey, carried out in 1975 in two blood banks (4,500 unselected blood donor candidates) in Londrina, Paraná (state), Brazil are presented. Positive results were obtained in 299 (7.9%) of 3,774 blood donor candidates observed in the University Hospital and in 38 (5.2%) of 726 candidates observed in Londrina's Hematology and Hemotherapy Institute. Among the 337 positive blood donor candidates, 97 (28.7%) were found to have donated blood before, 42 (12.4%) less than six months earlier. There has been no significant change in the positivity of Chagas' disease serological reactions during the last 17 years in Londrina. Attention is called to the discrepancy between the small number of acute cases of Chagas' disease reported and the high rate of positive serologic reactions of American Trypanosomiasis in numerous blood banks in Brazil. Finally, the need to more sparingly prescribe the use of blood transfusions in this country, mainly in the endemic areas of Chagas disease, is emphasized.