Serological screening for Leishmania infantum in asymptomatic blood donors living in an endemic area (Sicily, Italy)
- Authors: Colomba, C.; Saporito, L.; FRASCA POLARA, V.; Barone, T.; Corrao, A.; TITONE LANZA DI SCALEA, L.
- Publication year: 2005
- Type: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- Key words: leishmania
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/12111
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to assess whether Leishmania infantum parasitemia occurs in asymptomatic Leishmania-seropositive subjects. Samples from 500 blood donors were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-Leishmania antibodies were not found in any sample. Our findings suggest that the risk of L. infantum transmission by blood transfusion in Sicily is very low.