Blood Center of Wisconsin Testing Babesia Microti ?? What a Joke!!!

Hi everyone!-

I have a friend that lives in Wisconsin. He donates blood. He donated recently and was given a form from the Blood Center of Wisconsin. This is what it said:

" Are you donating blood today? Would you be willing to take part in a research study?

Blood Center of Wisconsin is adding a new test for Babesia Microti, the parasite that causes Babesiosis, which may be spread by blood transfusions.

Babesiosis is caused by microscopic parasites that infect red blood cells and are spread by the same tick that transmits Lyme disease. Tickborne transmission in the US occurs mainly in parts of the Northeast and upper Midwest, including Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Many people who carry Babesia feel fine and have no symptoms. Others develop nonspecific flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, sweats, headache, body aches, loss of appetite, nausea, or fatigue.

Your blood will only be tested if your donation includes red blood cells. Donations limited to platelets or plasma will not be tested, as Babesia resides in red blood cells.

Why is this study being done?

-To evaluate an experimental laboratory test to detect exposure to the Babesia parasite.

- Blood Center of Wisconsin is participating because the ticks that transmit the disease are common in our region.

-Area hospitals are starting to request Babesia tested blood products.

- Babesiosis can be a severe, life-threatening disease, particularly in people who have a weak immune system, have other serious health conditions, or are infants or elderly.


What will happen if I take part in this research study?

- Your blood will be tested for the antibody to Babesia Microti.

- Blood samples collected today will be used in the study.


What are the possible risks of taking part in Babesia testing?

- Learning that your blood tested positive for Babesia exposure may cause you emotional distress and anxiety.

- If you have a positive screening test, BCW will contact you to discuss any necessary follow-up and you may be deferred from donating blood in the future ( not allowed to donate blood) even if subsequent testing documents that it was a false positive test.

* It is possible that this test may produce a false positive result for some donors. A false positive is like a false alarm on a home security or airport screening system.

* When confirmatory tests are licensed, a reinstatement protocol for those who previously tested positive may be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to allow you to once again be a blood donor.


Are there any benefits for being in this study?

- You may not benefit directly from taking part in this research study.

- Taking part in the study may help increase the safety of blood and blood products used for patients.

- However, in the unlikely event you found that your blood tested positive for Babesia, and it is confirmed, it may give you the chance to seek proper medical care"


________________________________________________________________________________

This is absolutely RIDICULOUS!!!!!

One moment they act so concerned, then they talk about "false" positive, then they discuss if positive to "seek proper medical care"

What a bunch of MORONS !!!!!!!

Can I post the phone number that is included, or is that against forum rules?.

I called and said that there are 100 different strains of Babesia. And mentioned Babesia Duncani. The lady said that they are only focusing on Babesia Microti.Because it can survive the refrigerator system that the blood is stored in.

I asked her why they are not concerned about Lyme or Bartonella? She said that Lyme can't be transferred through a blood transfusion. There is no "evidence".

I said that I have to totally disagree. I said that Lyme disease can be passed from mother to child in the womb. She agreed on this.

I was very calm and polite to her. But what I was told, as long as the blood shows "negative" at the time of testing for :. HIV, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, (I think that she mentioned more, but I can't remember) they will give it to patients in need of blood.

She said that with any blood transfusion, there is a risk involved.

I agree with your outrage! I've been on the war path about this for a while now.

I wouldn't post their phone number, not because it's against the rules (which it's not), but there's not much point in it. We don't want people going there to donate blood. Anyone with these infections shouldn't donate blood or donate organs as they can pass the infection on to others.

www.lymeinfo.net/bloodtransfusions.html


www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16995409


www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2687036/

What I am wondering is how many people that test positive for Babesia, are they going to say that it is a "false" positive.

The testing for co - infections (Babesia & Bartonella) is a lot worse than the test for Lyme.

Krimpet said...
I agree with all points made. However, ItIsLyme makes a great point about a step forward. We've got to start somewhere. I don't think at this point we should expect an "all or nothing." Perhaps it will grow from here. This is the seed before the tree.

Agreed - IF they will move on from that first small step, which hasn't been the case in most places.

I would have to add that they simply can't test for everything.

And it is a step in the right direction.

They are recognizing the need for it, and are doing what they can within this study to further study and test.


Sometimes your hands are tied, regardless of what you believe. This kind of study can simply open the gates to doing more in the future.

First of all, I should apologize for my first post, when I said that the people at the blood bank are "Morons".

It is not their fault that have to follow the rules and outdated information from the CDC.

It is the CDC that needs to open their eyes!!

I guess, that I just find it so frustrating and hard to believe how little attention Lyme disease gets.

Lyme disease, Babesia,and Bartonella have destroyed my life!

I am great full for the blood bank to acknowledge Babesia, but what about Lyme?

Hi happyjo!-

Thank you for sharing the articles! The first one I was able to read. But the second article I was unable to link to.

I wonder how good the testing for Zika is? If it's anything like testing for Lyme, and getting told that you are a "false " positive. There will be a big problem!

I also feel bad for the people who want to get tested, but get denied.

Pirouette posted a thread recently about Zika:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3661967

I hope that you find her thread very interesting. I did!

Hi happyjo!-

Thank you for reposting the article!! And it works fine! :)

That is absolutely a very sad story about this poor girl who even went on vacation where Zika is a big problem.

Then she came home, got symptoms, and no one would even give her a blood test??????

My goodness, the Zika virus is being treated exactly the same as Lyme disease!!!

People display symptoms, and get denied proper testing and treatment!!

What has this world become???