Using the definition in this report, clinicians can diagnose and report TRALI cases to the blood bank; importantly, researchers can use this definition to determine incidence, pathophysiology, and strategies to prevent this leading cause of transfusion-associated mortality.

No abstract

After nearly a decade with no reported death due to transfusion-transmitted babesiosis, the US Food and Drug Administration received 8 reports from November 2005 onward. The increased numbers of deaths reported and Biological Product Deviations Reports suggest an increasing incidence of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. Physicians should consider babesiosis in the differential diagnosis in immunocompromised, febrile patients with a history of recent transfusion, even in areas where Babesia infection is not endemic. Accurate and timely reporting of babesiosis-related donor and transfusion events assists the US Food and Drug Administration in developing appropriate public health-control measures.

Our study identified largest number of potential TACO cases to date and showed a substantial increase in TACO occurrence with age and number of units transfused. The study suggested increased TACO risk in elderly with congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease and anaemias. Overall, study shows importance of large administrative databases as an additional epidemiological tool.