Transfusion-Transmitted Malaria in Korea - 10 cases during 1997~2001 -

Cho, Young Hee; Kwon, So Yong; Seo, Dong Hee; Kim, Sang In

Abstract

Since the reemergence of tertian malaria in Korea in 1993, we have confirmed 10 cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria associated with blood transfusion from 1997 to 2001. Age of patients ranged from 4 months to 68 years; three cases were younger than 1 year old. Because 2 of 10 patients received different components of the same donor, 9 presumably infected donors were identified for the 10 cases. Four of them were identified by polymerase chain reaction, 2 by indirect fluorescent antibody test, and 1 donor was identified by peripheral blood film examination. Geographically the cases were distributed over the whole Nation; 3 cases in Seoul, 2 in Kyunggi and Ulsan, and 1 case each in Pusan, KyungNam and Taegu. The infective components were 1 unit of whole blood, 5 units of packed red cells and 4 units of packed platelets. The incubation periods ranged from 9 days to 78 days(mean : 30.5 days, median : 21.5 days). The incidence rate of transfusion-transmitted malaria From 1997 to 2001 calculated as number of cases/number of units of whole blood and packed red cells transfused during each year ranged from 0 to 2.85 cases per million units transfused. Enforced predonation counseling might have prevented some of the above cases. Although test for malaria antibody has been implemented for donor screening this method does not reflect the present infective status of donor. Therefore careful screening of donors according to the exclusion guidelines of the Korean Red Cross remains as the best way to prevent transfusion-transmitted malaria.