Which of the following is a surrogate test used to detect donors at high risk for transmitting transfusion-related disease?

In the context of transfusion medicine, surrogate tests are designed to identify blood donors who may pose a higher risk for transmitting infectious diseases to recipients through blood transfusions. In this case, syphilis screening is specifically noted as a surrogate test for identifying potential infection risks among donors.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can be indicative of a higher risk for other blood-borne infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C. By screening for syphilis, blood banks can identify donors whose risky sexual behaviors may also expose them to other pathogens that could affect transfusion safety.

While hepatitis, HIV, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are critical infections that blood donors are screened for, they are not classified as surrogate tests in the same way syphilis is. Hepatitis and HIV are direct screening tests that focus on the actual pathogens, while CMV, although significant in certain patient populations, is tested based on its effects and associations rather than as a broad indicator for other risks.

Thus, syphilis serves as an important surrogate marker in the context of blood donation, helping to flag donors who may need more comprehensive risk evaluation for transfusion-transmitted diseases.