Documented cases of post‐transfusion malaria occurring in England: a review in relation to current and proposed donor‐selection guidelines

Background and Objectives  Although uncommon, five cases of transfusion-transmitted malaria have been documented in England over the last 20 years. With the reappearance onto the market of high-quality malaria antibody assays, and by utilizing the results of analysis of these five cases, it has been possible to review the donor malaria-deferral guidelines. Materials and Methods  Details of the five cases of post-transfusion malaria were reviewed against the proposed new donor-deferral guidelines for malaria. Results  Three of the five cases of post-transfusion malaria were directly attributable to the deferral guidelines, allowing infectious donors to be bled. Conclusions  The proposed new guidelines will prevent further cases of transmission from semi-immune individuals.