Babesia is an intraerythorcytic parasite transmitted by black-legged ticks and is also the most common infectious agent for transfusion transmitted fatalities. The AABB used a risk-based decision making (RBDM) framework to assess the risks and benefits of various transfusion transmitted Babesia risk reduction strategies. The AABB focused on patient safety, economic factors, equity and sustainability and overall technology. Transfusion transmitted Babesia is the most common in the Northeast and upper Midwest regions of the United States, and thus the AABB recommend donor screening only in 9 endemic states. Due to the sensitivity, specificity and overall cost, the AABB recommended only using a nucleic acid test (NAT) to screen for ribosomal RNA. The AABB report varies from the FDA recommendations of screening with NAT and antibody-based methods in 14 endemic and neighboring states. AABB also recommend that the regions at risk for transfusion transmitted Babesia be continually monitored.
References:
- Ward, S., Stramer, S., and Szcepiorkowski Z. Assessing the risk of Babesia to the U.S. blood supply using a risk-based decision-making approach (RBDM). Report of the AABB’s Ad hoc Babesia policy working group. Transfusion 2018; 58(8): 1916-1923
- Shaz, B. Risk-based decision making: a good start to aiding U.S. blood policy decisions? Transfusion 2018; 58(8): 1827-1830
