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BACKGROUND: Pathogen reduction technology (PRT) may damage platelet (PLT) components. To study this, metabolic activity and haemostatic function of buffy coat (BC) PLT concentrates, with or without riboflavin and UV light PRT treatment, were compared. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four BC PLT concentrates, leukoreduced and diluted in additive solution, were grouped into 12 type-matched pairs, which were pooled and divided into 12 non-PRT-treated BC PLT concentrates (control units) and 12 riboflavin and UV PRT-treated BC PLT concentrates (test units). Haemostatic function and metabolic parameters were monitored by thrombelastography at days 1, 3, 7 and 14 post collection in both PLT groups. RESULTS: Loss of PLT discoid shape, glucose consumption, lactate production, and decrease in pH were greater in the PRT-treated PLTs than in control PLTs over time (p

In the Balearic Islands, as in other areas of the Mediterranean basin, there is a significant proportion of asymptomatic Leishmania (L.) infantum-infected blood donors, who may represent an important threat to transfusion safety. The Balearic Islands blood bank, located in an area endemic for L. infantum, carried out a study of donors and patients to investigate the impact of this infectious disease on blood safety in the region.Twenty asymptomatic Leishmania-infected blood donors were followed-up between 2008 and 2011 to investigate the evolution of Leishmania infection in asymptomatic carriers. Their blood was periodically tested for anti-Leishmania antibodies by western blot and for Leishmania DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Additionally, the prevalence of L. infantum infection was investigated in a group of 68 multiply transfused patients to ascertain the risk of transfusion-transmitted leishmaniasis (TTL) in the region, taking into account regular blood component production practices such as pre-storage leucodepletion and pathogen reduction technology.All 20 donors remained asymptomatic over the study period (2008-2011). Most donors had repeatedly positive qPCR results, either persistently or intermittently, but showed no symptoms of Leishmaniasis. Levels of parasitaemia were remarkably low in asymptomatic donors, with values ≤1 parasite/mL. Despite multiple transfusions received over 15 years, no transfused patient studied was infected with L. infantum.L. infantum-infected donors can remain asymptomatic for at least 3 years. In our region, no cases of TTL were detected, despite an active search in multiply transfused patients. This seems to be related to two independent variables: (i) a low concentration of the parasite in the peripheral blood of asymptomatic carriers and (ii) the application of methods with proven efficacy against TTL, such as leucodepletion and pathogen reduction technology.