SHORT REPORT - SCREENING FOR TRYPANOSOMA-CRUZI IN THE BLOOD-SUPPLY BYTHE RED-CROSS BLOOD-BANK IN QUITO, ECUADOR

The status of Chagas' disease in Ecuador is not clear. In response to reports suggesting the possibility of transfusion-associated transmiss ion of Chagas' disease in the blood bank in Quite, the Ecuadorian Red Cross in collaboration with the Institute Nacional de Higiene, Zona No rte and the Tropical Disease Institute of Ohio University implemented a pilot Chagas' disease screening of the donated blood in the Quite bl ood bank. The results of the screening showed a low incidence of serap ositivity among the donors (0.01 % in 1994, 0.04% in 1995, and 0.02% i n 1996) to the Quite blood bank and a higher seropositivity in samples donated to smaller blood banks (0.4% in 1994, 0.28% in 1995, and 0.13 % in 1996) located in areas considered endemic, as well as from at lea st two areas previously considered nonendemic for Chagas' disease. Thi s report highlights the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the pre valence and distribution of Chagas' disease in Ecuador.