"We isolated Bartonella henselae from 1.2% of 500 studied blood donors and demonstrated that the bacteria remain viable in red blood cell units after 35 days of experimental infection. "
"Blood samples from all 24 mice were negative by molecular tests though half of the tissue samples were positive by nested PCR in the intraperitoneal Bartonella-investigated animals. Tissues from two of the four mice that received blood transfusions from Bartonella-inoculated animals were also nested PCR positives."
"CONCLUSIONS
Transmission of B. henselae by transfusion is possible in mice even when donor animals have undetectable bloodstream infection. The impact of human Bartonella sp. transmission through blood transfusion recipients must be evaluated."
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/trf.13545/abstract;jsessionid=D8B2A8B66CA5D870D71D6638D9992360.f03t03So we now know that Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella are in the US (at least) blood supply - and people wonder how come there are so many people with these infections? If even 1/2 of the time, or even only 1/3rd of the time that a person gets a blood transfusion for any reason, they get one or more of these infections, how long would it take for the entire US population to be infected?????
Scary thoughts.