Chagas disease: an old entity in new places
Wendel, S.
International Journal of Artificial Organs 16(3): 117-119
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-3988 PMID: 8314632 Document Number: 415455
Chagas' disease is no longer an exclusively Latin American problem, and several lines of evidence indicate that it is now present in North America. This editorial examines the evidence and discusses the possible outcome if this disease continues to spread. Transfusional Chagas' disease is well documented and if no preventive measures are taken, it might become another problem in Transfusion Medicine, although of lesser importance than hepatitis C or AIDS. Screening of blood donors is difficult and the problem of false negative results is discussed. Because of this it is asked whether a country such as the USA should embark on routine donor screening, or should it be restricted to high risk groups such as Latin American immigrants only?.