A new type of tick-borne infection that may be linked to cancer has been found in blood donors, reports Aftonbladet.
The newly discovered bacterium, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, was first detected in a patient with lymph node cancer in 2009.
We conducted a research study and discovered that some patients with lymph node cancer had this infection, says Christine Wennerås, professor and senior physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital to P4 Göteborg.
The patients were treated with antibiotics, which had a beneficial effect.
Between five and 15 per cent of ticks in Sweden are estimated to carry the infection, and so far, 213 people have been diagnosed, according to the radio.
Several people who received blood have now been called in for testing.
We are looking at these individuals who may have received blood from infected donors to ensure that no one is affected. It is a precautionary measure, and we do not even know if you can get it from a blood transfusion, says Anna Grankvist, researcher at Sahlgrenska University Hospital to Aftonbladet.
A study is underway at Sahlgrenska University Hospital on the tick-borne infection that may cause cancer and whether the disease can be cured with antibiotics. It is expected to be completed in 3-4 years.
This could mean that certain forms of lymph node cancer could be treated with antibiotics alone, and the patient would avoid chemotherapy, Christine Wennerås to P4 Göteborg.
