South American Trypanosomiasis

Acceptability at Recruitment

NOT ACCEPTABLE

Acceptability at CT / Work-Up

NOT ACCEPTABLE

Individual at Risk

Recipient

Explanation of Condition

Infection caused by the parasite trypanasoma cruzi, and spread by the triatomine bug. Also known as Chagas disease, it is endemic to many parts of South and Central America. May be fatal if untreated, and may be transferred via blood or bone marrow.

See also Chagas Disease

Guidance

Donor infected or previously infected

May cause chronic infection. Not acceptable.

Donor has lived in, or visited, endemic area

Donors who have ever visited, or lived in, South America should be tested for T.cruzi antibodies at work-up, and only if the donor is at least six months from last date of potential exposure. Those with a positive antibody assay must not donate.

If the exposure was less than six months ago, then antibodies should be checked and, if negative, donation may proceed at the discretion of the transplant centre.

Pseudonyms or Related Conditions

Chagas Disease

Trypanasoma cruzi

Version

Version 1, Edition 1

Date of Last Update

15th June 2012