Post by Admin/ Traveler on Dec 2, 2018 17:32:22 GMT
The 'powers that be' would LOVE to have us all think that our blood supply is safe from infecting us with tick-borne infections - but, that's a bit away from the truth of the matter.....
Babesia is the one tick-borne infection that the CDC and Red Cross has tried to convince us that they are actively screening the blood supply for. But is that really what's going on??
The original abstract is below, with my comments in a different color.
The impact of Babesia microti blood donation screening.
"Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Babesia microti, an intraerythrocytic parasite endemic in the Northeast and upper Midwest United States, is responsible for over 200 reported cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB). The American Red Cross has prospectively screened donations in endemic areas for B. microti since 2012. The only areas screened for Babesia are endemic states, leaving many states that have the disease currently infecting people left out of this blood screening. So, if a person ends up needing blood products, they stand the risk of getting Babesia from it.
METHODS:
Blood donation samples from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Wisconsin were tested by arrayed fluorescence immunoassay and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Donors with reactive results by any test were deferred and invited to participate in a follow-up study.
RESULTS:
Screening of 506,540 donations (June 2012-May 2018) yielded 1299 reactives, 177 of which were DNA and antibody positive and 25 DNA positive only. During the same time, 23 unscreened RBC units collected in Connecticut and Massachusetts were involved in TTB cases, making the risk of transmitting the infection from an unscreened donation in these two states 15.6-times greater than from a Babesia-negative unit. B. microti screening in Connecticut and Massachusetts has been associated with a reduction in TTB cases; none reported from blood donors residing in Connecticut since 2016. The positive donor rate has also decreased in Connecticut from 0.67% in 2013 to 0.23% in 2017. Ongoing follow-up testing has shown that only 10% of antibody-positive donors serorevert within 1 year, while 94% of polymerase chain reacton-positive donors become negative within 12 months. And, be sure to note that even in just 3 states, nearly 1300 people were 'reactive', although they say only 177 people had positive tests, we all know how well the testing works!! Also, notice how they squeeze in the fact that 23 unscreened RBC (red blood cell) units were involved in TTB cases.
CONCLUSIONS:
Blood donation screening for B. microti in endemic areas effectively mitigates TTB risk. Screening should be considered for all areas demonstrating ongoing risk defined as clinical cases or positive blood donors including those associated with TTB cases." While I do agree that the blood products need to be tested, first of all, why not ALL states?? It's been beyond proven that Babesia and other tick-borne infections are in every state of our nation. Secondly, why only test for Babesia?? Lyme disease is a much more prevalent issue in this country, and yet not only are our blood products not being tested for this, but we don't even have a RELIABLE test yet!!
Okay, mini rant over. For now. LOL.
Babesia is the one tick-borne infection that the CDC and Red Cross has tried to convince us that they are actively screening the blood supply for. But is that really what's going on??
The original abstract is below, with my comments in a different color.
The impact of Babesia microti blood donation screening.
"Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Babesia microti, an intraerythrocytic parasite endemic in the Northeast and upper Midwest United States, is responsible for over 200 reported cases of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB). The American Red Cross has prospectively screened donations in endemic areas for B. microti since 2012. The only areas screened for Babesia are endemic states, leaving many states that have the disease currently infecting people left out of this blood screening. So, if a person ends up needing blood products, they stand the risk of getting Babesia from it.
METHODS:
Blood donation samples from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Wisconsin were tested by arrayed fluorescence immunoassay and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Donors with reactive results by any test were deferred and invited to participate in a follow-up study.
RESULTS:
Screening of 506,540 donations (June 2012-May 2018) yielded 1299 reactives, 177 of which were DNA and antibody positive and 25 DNA positive only. During the same time, 23 unscreened RBC units collected in Connecticut and Massachusetts were involved in TTB cases, making the risk of transmitting the infection from an unscreened donation in these two states 15.6-times greater than from a Babesia-negative unit. B. microti screening in Connecticut and Massachusetts has been associated with a reduction in TTB cases; none reported from blood donors residing in Connecticut since 2016. The positive donor rate has also decreased in Connecticut from 0.67% in 2013 to 0.23% in 2017. Ongoing follow-up testing has shown that only 10% of antibody-positive donors serorevert within 1 year, while 94% of polymerase chain reacton-positive donors become negative within 12 months. And, be sure to note that even in just 3 states, nearly 1300 people were 'reactive', although they say only 177 people had positive tests, we all know how well the testing works!! Also, notice how they squeeze in the fact that 23 unscreened RBC (red blood cell) units were involved in TTB cases.
CONCLUSIONS:
Blood donation screening for B. microti in endemic areas effectively mitigates TTB risk. Screening should be considered for all areas demonstrating ongoing risk defined as clinical cases or positive blood donors including those associated with TTB cases." While I do agree that the blood products need to be tested, first of all, why not ALL states?? It's been beyond proven that Babesia and other tick-borne infections are in every state of our nation. Secondly, why only test for Babesia?? Lyme disease is a much more prevalent issue in this country, and yet not only are our blood products not being tested for this, but we don't even have a RELIABLE test yet!!
Okay, mini rant over. For now. LOL.