Leprosy (i.e., Hansen's disease) is a chronic disease secondary to infection with either Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis. While the incidence of this disease is decreasing across the world, there is mounting evidence that it might be increasing, and becoming endemic, in the United States. Leprosy was once considered a potential threat to the blood supply, and while this threat has not borne out, it is worth revisiting the available data to assess whether it may pose a threat in the future. Herein, we discuss the evidence for and against the potential for transfusion-transmission of leprosy, and highlight future areas of research to further elucidate this possibility.
BT - Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis C1 -https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38242725
DA - 01/2024 DO - 10.1016/j.transci.2024.103877 J2 - Transfus Apher Sci LA - eng N2 -Leprosy (i.e., Hansen's disease) is a chronic disease secondary to infection with either Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis. While the incidence of this disease is decreasing across the world, there is mounting evidence that it might be increasing, and becoming endemic, in the United States. Leprosy was once considered a potential threat to the blood supply, and while this threat has not borne out, it is worth revisiting the available data to assess whether it may pose a threat in the future. Herein, we discuss the evidence for and against the potential for transfusion-transmission of leprosy, and highlight future areas of research to further elucidate this possibility.
PY - 2024 T2 - Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis TI - New threats from an old foe: Evaluating the risk to the blood supply due to increasing incidence and endemicity of leprosy in the United States. SN - 1473-0502 ER -