Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Transfusion transmitted malaria is an ever present risk in endemic areas and the real threat for blood safety. There is a need for an effective malaria screening program and development of donor deferral criteria for the country. We evaluated the potential usefulness of Elisa screening for malaria antibody and antigen, thick and thin blood film, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) among Zahedan blood donors.

 Materials and Methods

 A total number of 384 blood donors in Zahedan in 2009 were screened for malaria parasite by thick and thin blood film using giemsa staining technique, Elisa antibody and antigen test, and PCR.

 Results

 The overall malaria antibody prevalence was 4.7%. In blood donors living in endemic regions, where there were reports for local Malaria transmission, the rate was 7.9%. The results of all antigen test, thick and thin blood films, and PCR were negative.

 Conclusions

 The present donor deferral system seems optimal at present however, a small risk of transfusion transmitted malaria remains. In an endemic region like Sistan and Baluchestan the use of Elisa antibody test was an interesting alternative for the screening of blood donors.