Certified Tissue Bank Specialist 2025 Complete Practice Test

The correct answer is Chagas disease, which is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This condition is endemic to many parts of South America, particularly in rural areas where the parasite is transmitted by triatomine bugs, often referred to as "kissing bugs."

In the context of a potential heart-for-valve donor, evaluating for Chagas is crucial because the disease can lead to serious cardiac complications, including cardiomyopathy. If a donor has Chagas disease, there is a significant risk of transmitting the infection through transplantation. The impact of this disease on cardiac health and its potential to complicate transplantation outcomes makes it a priority in donor evaluations, especially with recent travel to regions where Chagas is prevalent.

While Zika virus, COVID-19, and malaria also represent important infectious disease considerations in recent travelers to South America, they have different implications for heart valve donation. Zika is primarily a concern during pregnancy and generally does not affect the heart. COVID-19, while significant, is typically managed in the context of current protocols regarding donor eligibility and organ viability rather than being specific to heart-for-valve donation. Malaria, though a serious illness, doesn't pose the same direct risk to cardiac health as Chagas does,