What is the risk of transmission of Lyme Disease by blood donated years after recovery from an untreated infection?
A transfusion medicine physician at a regional blood center on the East Coast reports on a donor who states he had Lyme disease 10 years ago, but was never treated for the infection, and currently has no symptoms. The inquiring blood banker wants to know if the donor should he be deferred until he gets treatment, even though there has been a ten year delay? Or, should the donor be accepted because he has no symptoms?
In response to the above question, the Editor suggests the e-Network review the Nov. 2002 discussion on this subject.
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Ira A. Shulman, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Senior Editor & Moderator
W. Tait Stevens, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Editor & Moderator
Elizabeth M. St. Lezin, MD
CBBS e-Network Forum Associate Editor & Moderator
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