The prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among 10988 blood donors is analysed after three surveys done during the last 16 years at the Hemotherapy Service of the Hospital Escola da Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro. The 16.6% prevalence in the first survey fell to 6.9% in the last. The infection was more common in negro females and the elderly. The prophylaxis of blood transfusion- transmitted Chagas disease is discussed, as well as what measures should be taken by the Blood Banks when infected donors are discovered.
Chagas' disease; Trypanosomiasis cruzi; Blood transfusion transmission; Gentian violet