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Introduction: According to the guidelines (GL) valid in Germany, persons born or raised in a malaria-endemic area or had continuously stayed in a malaria-endemic area for more than 6 months may only be admitted donating blood if, among other things, validated and quality-assured laboratory diagnostics show that there is no evidence of infectivity. In a statement of the Working Group "Blood" of the Federal Ministry of Health (WGB), a reduction of the deferral period from 4 to 3 years and an antibody test after the deferral period are recommended., Methods: In accordance with the GL, nucleic acid testing (NAT) by means of PCR is carried out at our institution after a retention period of 4 years. In addition to the validated molecular biological testing, an infection serological examination was performed., Case Presentation: In the present cases, Plasmodia genome was detected in the respective single PCR in two blood donors originating from malaria-endemic areas after the expiry of the deferral period. However, one donor tested negative for antibodies against Plasmodia ., Discussion/conclusion: This observation is discussed in the context of a recommendation of the WGB. The question is addressed whether PCR testing is dispensable or whether a combination of infection serological testing and NAT should be favored., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)