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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Serological evidence of Borrelia circulation among blood donors in the Sao Paulo state, Brazil

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Author(s):
Slavov, S. N. [1, 2] ; Christova, I. S. [3] ; Ferreira, A. R. [2] ; Rodrigues, E. S. [2] ; Bianquini, M. L. [2] ; Hespanhol, M. R. [2] ; Covas, D. T. [2] ; Kashima, S. [2]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Internal Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Blood Ctr Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Natl Ctr Infect & Parasit Dis, Dept Microbiol, Sofia - Bulgaria
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Transfusion Medicine; v. 29, n. 5, p. 358-363, OCT 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the Borrelia seroprevalence among blood donors in Southeast Brazil. Background There is evidence that Borrelia spirochetes are circulating in Brazil; however, there are no studies that characterise these bacteria and investigate their seroprevalence in the Brazilian population. Such a situation, combined with a recent outbreak of tick-borne Rocky Mountain spotted fever in the Sao Paulo state demonstrates the increasing role of ticks as arthropod vectors in Brazil. Methods For the purpose of the study, 452 blood donors from Ribeirao Preto city, Sao Paulo state were tested using anti-Borrelia immunoglobulin G (IgG) assay. The positive results were also confirmed by Western blot for anti-borrelia IgM/IgG. Results The anti-Borrelia IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed nine positive and nine borderline reactive samples, giving a total seroprevalence of 2 center dot 0% of anti-Borrelia IgG among Brazilian blood donors. The confirmation of the seropositive and borderline samples by Borrelia Western blot was demonstrated by IgG-positive results in 16 samples (a seroprevalence of 3.5%). Anti-Borrelia IgM antibodies were also detected in one sample. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that Borrelia-like spirochetes may be circulating among blood donors from the Sao Paulo State and that the ticks have an important epidemiological role as vectors of bacterial infections in this Brazilian region. These results not only alert us to possible actions that might be undertaken in order to completely characterise the aetiological agents of Lyme-like syndromes in Brazil but also the possible impact that these bacterial agents might have on haemotherapy practices. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 17/23205-8 - Evaluation of the impact of emerging and reemerging viruses in the field of hemotherapy and stem cell transplantation by multiple-research approach
Grantee:Svetoslav Nanev Slavov
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
FAPESP's process: 14/50947-7 - INCT 2014: in Stem Cell and Cell Therapy
Grantee:Dimas Tadeu Covas
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants