Seeking MD Perspective
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Infectious disease docs,
Do you recommend transfusion / exchange transfusion of malaria-resistant RBCs for Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients (especially now that parasites are becoming drug-resistant)?
Some background for those unfamiliar with malaria: Type O RBCs (universal donor RBCs) are malaria-resistant along with sickle trait RBCs and many others. Evolution selected for type O RBCs and sickle cell trait RBCs due to a survival advantage with Pf malaria. These RBCs are found in blood banks, because individuals with these blood types can donate blood in the US and in other countries. These blood types do not face the challenge of drug-resistance.
So, do you utilize exchange transfusion, in which parasitized RBCs are removed and replaced with malaria-resistant (type O) RBCs, for your malaria patients?
Do you recommend transfusion / exchange transfusion of malaria-resistant RBCs for Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients (especially now that parasites are becoming drug-resistant)?
Some background for those unfamiliar with malaria: Type O RBCs (universal donor RBCs) are malaria-resistant along with sickle trait RBCs and many others. Evolution selected for type O RBCs and sickle cell trait RBCs due to a survival advantage with Pf malaria. These RBCs are found in blood banks, because individuals with these blood types can donate blood in the US and in other countries. These blood types do not face the challenge of drug-resistance.
So, do you utilize exchange transfusion, in which parasitized RBCs are removed and replaced with malaria-resistant (type O) RBCs, for your malaria patients?