Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood donors in the extreme South of Brazil

Background:   We aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Chagas disease among blood donors in southern Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Methods:  The study was conducted from 2010 to 2019 based on data registered by the Hemocentro Regional de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul.

Results:  There were 106,320 blood donations, and the discard rate of blood bags, either due to positive reactions to anti-T. cruzi antibodies or inconclusive results was 0.27% (283 bags).

Conclusions:  The usage of methods that enable the safe identification of donors with positive serology for Chagas disease is fundamental to ensure transfusional safety.

Keywords:
Chagas disease; Trypanosoma cruzi; Donors