Does cold storage of blood before transfusion prevent the transmission of syphilis? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Even though the infectivity of T. pallidum-spiked blood may decrease after 72 h of cold storage, the possibility for transfusion-transmitted syphilis may remain for several days after. The evidence is very uncertain, and conclusions are hindered by a lack of sufficiently powered studies and studies in humans. In addition, T. pallidum concentrations used in animal studies may be unrealistically high.