Timely screening of donated blood holds the key to curb Transfusion Transmitted Syphilis
The provision of safe and efficacious blood and blood components for transfusion involves a number of processes and there is a risk of error in each process of this ‘transfusion chain’. A failure at any of the stages can have serious implications for the recipients of blood and blood components. Thus, while blood transfusion can be life-saving, there are associated risks, particularly the transmission of blood-borne infections. The core Transfusion Transmitted Infections (TTI) tests recommended by WHO are; Hepatitis B Surface antigen, antibody to Hepatitis C, HIV 1 & 2, and serologic test for Syphilis. In India, besides these core tests, donated blood is also mandatorily tested for Malaria antigen. Speaking particularly about Syphilis, it was once a common STD, however the prevalence was brought down from 8% of the population, to less than 1%. Infact, in 2011, the National Aids Control Organization (NACO) , had announced that the country is on the verge of eliminatio...