Transfusional transmission of Chagas' disease was suggested in the 1930s and proven in the 1950s. Initially pre-transfusion serology tests were not compulsory but in the decades following their introduction, the tests were improved with more suitable and reliable techniques, which culminated with Elisa, currently the most commonly used test. This study aims at examining the serological profile of blood donors of blood banks attended by the serology laboratory of the Universidade Luterana do Brasil - Hospital Independência (Ulbra-HI) in Porto Alegre, Brazil in respect to Chagas' disease, with the aim of comparing the rates of this laboratory with those published for Brazil. The study sample was composed of 36,720 blood donors during the period from March 2006 to May 2008. One hundred and fifty donations (0.41%) were considered serologically unsuitable due to Chagas' disease. This incidence is similar to that found in the southern region of Brazil, indicating that the screening conducted in our laboratory is in line with other laboratories.
Chagas' disease; serology; Trypanosoma cruzi; blood bank; hemoterapy
