by Joe Chaffin | Mar 8, 2016
Glossary Babesia Babesia is a tick-transmitted protozoan of major concern in the transfusion community as a result of the organism’s ready transmission through transfusion. B. microti and B. duncani (the two main species in the U.S.) are transmitted from mice to...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 8, 2016
Glossary Chagas Disease A parasitic infection (also known as “American trypanosomiasis”) transmitted by the bite of the completely misnamed “kissing bug” (triatomine or reduviid bug). This nasty bug bites people and then defecates into or near...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 10, 2016
Glossary Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) This virus is found primarily in Africa and Asia, but is becoming a bigger issue in the Caribbean and the U.S. state of Florida. Chikungunya (say “chik-en-GUN-ye”) virus was discovered in 1953, and like malaria and dengue...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 11, 2016
Glossary Computer Crossmatch Also known as “electronic crossmatch,” this is a type of major crossmatch done without the need for test tubes or contact between donor red cells and patient serum. The blood bank computer system compares ABO and Rh types of...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 11, 2016
Glossary Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a progressive, debilitating, fatal brain disorder caused by transmission of a protein known as a “prion.” The brain undergoes characteristic degenerative changes that include a...
