Blood Bank Donors Research Articles

Sequence-based HLA-A, B, C, DP, DQ, and DR typing of 714 adults from Colombo, Sri Lanka

DNA sequence-based typing at the HLA-A, -B, -C, -DPB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, and -DRB1 loci was performed on 714 healthy adult blood bank donors from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to characterize allele frequencies in support of studies on T cell immunity against pathogens, including Dengue virus. Deviations from Hardy Weinberg proportions were not detected at any locus. Several alleles were found in >30% of individuals, including the class II alleles DPB1 * 04:01, DPB1 * 02:01, DQB1 * 06:01 and DRB1 * 07:01, and the class I alleles A * 33:03 and A * 24:02. Genotype data will be available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Blood Bank Donors in SVNGMC Yavatamal

Background: Infections caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are global public health problems. The safety of donated blood can be estimated by monitoring the prevalence of viral markers in the donor population. The present study was carried out in Yavatmal region of Maharashtra state, with an objective to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV among blood bank donors. Methods: Over a period of three years (January 2014 to December 2016), a total of 33082 blood units were collected from healthy voluntary and replacement blood donors. The donated units were serologically screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Results: Out of total blood donors, 93.67% were males and 6.32% were females. HBsAg was positive in 284 (0.85%) of the blood units that were collected, the blood units with antiHCV seropositivity had the lowest prevalence (n=9, 0.027%) and these prevalence being higher in males than females. The prevalence of HBsAg was highest in the year of 2015 (0.93%) compared to 2014 (0.85) and 2016 (0.78). There was decline in the prevalence of HCV infection has been observed, from 0.039% in 2014 to 0.016% in 2016. Conclusion: The study reveals that the decrease in HBV and HCV prevalence among blood bank donors in SVNGMC Yavatmal might be associated with the introduction of immunization programs, and an increased awareness of hepatitis B throughout the country.

Sequence-based HLA-A, B, C, DP, DQ, and DR typing of 339 adults from Managua, Nicaragua

DNA sequence-based typing at the HLA-A, -B, -C, -DPB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, and -DRB1 loci was performed on anonymized samples provided by 339 healthy adult blood bank donors in Managua, Nicaragua. The purpose of the study was to characterize allele frequencies in the local population to support studies of T cell immunity against pathogens, including Dengue virus. Deviations from Hardy Weinberg proportions were detected for all class II loci (HLA-DPB1, -DQA1, -DQB1 and -DRB1), and at the class I C locus, but not at the class I A and B loci. The genotype data will be available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database.

Seroprevalence of transfusion transmitted infections in healthy blood donors: A 5-year Tertiary Care Hospital experience.

INTRODUCTION:Transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) can cause threat to bloody safety as blood transfusion is an important mode of transmission of TTI to the recipient, hence, to prevent transmission of these diseases, screening tests on blood bags is an important step for blood safety.AIM:This study was undertaken with the aim of determining the seroprevalence of TTI in healthy blood donors in a tertiary care blood bank.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A retrospective study was carried out over a period of 5 years from January 2007 to December 2011. Serum samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Type 1 and 2, hepatitis c virus (HCV) and syphilis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with the third generation kits and venereal disease research laboratory test, respectively.RESULTS:A total of 76,653 healthy donors were included out of which majority of donors were male (91.79%). The overall seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV, and syphilis were 0.26%, 1.30%, 0.25%, and 0.28%, respectively.CONCLUSION:Methods to ensure a safety blood supply should be encouraged. For that, screening with a better selection of donors and use of sensitive screening tests including nucleic acid testing technology should be implemented.

The prevalence of CCR5-Δ32 mutation in a cohort of Saudi stem cell donors.

CCR5 is a chemokine receptor that was found to be used by HIV as a co-receptor for entering target cells. A 32 bp deletion was described in certain people that rendered CCR5 non-functional. The mutant allele CCR5-Δ32 has been shown to prevent HIV infection. In addition, stem cell transplantation with the CCR5-Δ32 homozygous genotype can lead to clearance of HIV infection. In this study, our aim was to investigate the frequency of CCR5-Δ32 mutation in a cohort of stem cell donors from cord blood bank and stem cell donor registry. A total of 3025 samples were collected from healthy stem cell donors (2625) and from cord blood units (400). DNA was extracted and the CCR5 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a light cycler system using SYBR Green dye. The mutated gene was further confirmed by direct gene sequencing. We found 38 heterozygous for CCR5-Δ32 and one homozygous CCR5 mutation (Δ32/Δ32) out of the 3025 tested individuals. We conclude that the protective CCR5-Δ32 allele appears to be rarely present in Saudi Arabia.

Seroprevalence of IgA anti Epstein-Barr virus is high among family members of nasopharyngeal cancer patients and individuals presenting with chronic complaints in head and neck area.

Epstein-Barr (EBV) infection and presence of a nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) case in the family increases the risk of developing NPC. Aberrant anti-EBV immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies (EBV-IgA) may be present in the sera of non-cancer individuals and predict NPC. Limited studies report the presence of EBV-IgA antibodies within non-cancer individuals in Indonesia where the disease is prevalent. This study aimed at exploring whether EBV-IgA was found more frequently among first degree relatives of NPC patients and individuals presenting with chronic symptoms in the head and neck area compared to healthy controls. A total of 967 non-cancer subjects were recruited, including 509 family members of NPC cases, 196 individuals having chronic complaints in the head and neck region, and 262 healthy donors of the local blood bank. Sera were analyzed using a standardized peptide-based EBV-IgA ELISA. Overall, 61.6% of all individuals had anti-EBV IgA reactivity equal to or below cut off value (CoV). Seroreactivity above CoV was significantly higher in females (38.7%) compared to males (28.7%) (p = 0.001). Older individuals had more seroreactivity above CoV (42.5%) than the younger ones (26.4%) (p< 0.001). Seroprevalence was significantly higher in family members of NPC patients (41.7%), compared to 32.7% of individuals with chronic head and neck problems (p = 0.028) and 16.4% healthy blood donors (p< 0.001). As conclusion, this study showed a significant higher seroprevalence in healthy family members of NPC cases and subjects presenting with chronic symptoms in the head and neck area compared to healthy individuals from the general community. This finding indicates that both groups have elevated risk of developing NPC and may serve as targets for a regional NPC screening program.

Distribution of feline AB blood types: a review of frequencies and its implications in the Iberian Peninsula.

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to document the prevalence of feline blood types in the Iberian Peninsula and to determine the potential risk of incompatibility-related transfusion reactions in unmatched transfusions and the potential risk of neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI) in kittens born to parents of unknown blood type.MethodsBlood samples were obtained from blood donors of the Animal Blood Bank (BSA-Banco de Sangue Animal). Blood typing was performed using a card method (RapidVet-H Feline Blood Typing; MDS).ResultsThe studied population comprised 1070 purebred and non-purebred cats from Portugal and Spain aged between 1 and 8 years. Overall, frequencies of blood types A and B were 96.5% and 3.5%, respectively. No AB cats were found. Based on these data, the potential risks of NI and transfusion reactions in unmatched transfusions were calculated to be 6.8% and 2.8%, respectively.Conclusions and relevanceUnlike previous studies, no type AB cats were found in this study. Although the calculated potential risks of transfusion reaction in unmatched transfusions and neonatal isoerythrolysis were low, blood typing prior to blood transfusion and blood typing of cats for breeding purposes are highly recommended.

High Cellular Monocyte Activation in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Combination Antiretroviral Therapy and Lifestyle-Matched Controls Is Associated With Greater Inflammation in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

BackgroundIncreased monocyte activation and intestinal damage have been shown to be predictive for the increased morbidity and mortality observed in treated people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV).MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of cellular and soluble markers of monocyte activation, coagulation, intestinal damage, and inflammation in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of PLHIV with suppressed plasma viremia on combination antiretroviral therapy and age and demographically comparable HIV-negative individuals participating in the Comorbidity in Relation to AIDS (COBRA) cohort and, where appropriate, age-matched blood bank donors (BBD).ResultsPeople living with HIV, HIV-negative individuals, and BBD had comparable percentages of classical, intermediate, and nonclassical monocytes. Expression of CD163, CD32, CD64, HLA-DR, CD38, CD40, CD86, CD91, CD11c, and CX3CR1 on monocytes did not differ between PLHIV and HIV-negative individuals, but it differed significantly from BBD. Principal component analysis revealed that 57.5% of PLHIV and 62.5% of HIV-negative individuals had a high monocyte activation profile compared with 2.9% of BBD. Cellular monocyte activation in the COBRA cohort was strongly associated with soluble markers of monocyte activation and inflammation in the CSF.ConclusionsPeople living with HIV and HIV-negative COBRA participants had high levels of cellular monocyte activation compared with age-matched BBD. High monocyte activation was predictive for inflammation in the CSF.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) mutations from clonal hematopoiesis: Implications for interpretation of liquid biopsy tests.

11526 Background: A large fraction of cfDNA fragments are derived from hematopoietic sources. Somatic alterations in cfDNA can be tumor-derived but also could represent somatic changes associated with clonal hematopoiesis. We performed deep sequencing of both plasma cfDNA and matched white blood cell (WBC) genomic DNA (gDNA) to determine the contribution of clonal hematopoiesis to the variants observed in cfDNA. Four cohorts were investigated: metastatic breast (BC), non-small cell lung (NSCLC), castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and non-cancer participants (pts). Methods: Metastatic cancer pts with de novo or progressive disease were prospectively enrolled. Non-cancer pts were blood bank donors. Plasma cfDNA and matched WBC gDNA were sequenced using a targeted 508-gene panel (2 Mb) to &gt; 60,000X raw depth. Variant calling used a novel pipeline that employed molecular barcoding for error suppression followed by de novo assembly and graph-based variant calling. Results: Of 151 metastatic cancer pts (48 BC, 49 NSCLC, 54 CRPC), median age was 64 (30-87) with 53% female and 33% treatment naive. Of 47 non-cancer pts, median age was 61 (20-78) with 51% female. Analysis of cfDNA identified 1072 variants (AF &gt; 0.1%, &gt; 2 mutant reads, passing bioinformatic quality filters) which were also detected in WBC gDNA as non-germline ( &lt; 35% allele frequency [AF]) non-synonymous variants. For these cfDNA variants, AF ranged from 0.1-14.4% and correlated with AF in WBC gDNA (r2 = 0.47, p &lt; 0.001). Mutated genes were consistent with clonal hematopoiesis, with the most frequently mutated genes being DNMT3A, TET2, PPM1D, and TP53 (215, 77, 45, and 36 variants, respectively). For both cancer and non-cancer pts (age &gt; 45), median number of overlapping variants was 5 per pt (range 0-22). The number of WBC gDNA and cfDNA variants per individual was positively associated with age (p &lt; 0.001) in both cancer and non-cancer pts (interaction p = 0.08). Conclusions: Somatic cfDNA variants are frequently derived from clonal hematopoiesis and increase with age. Accurate assessment of somatic alterations in cfDNA should account for this phenomenon to distinguish between tumor-derived and WBC-derived variants.

CD8+ T cells from healthy blood bank donors secrete antiviral levels of interferon-alpha

Abstract Background CD8+ T cells play important roles in the antiviral immune response to HIV-1 infection. Variation in the antiviral activities of CD8+ T cells among HIV-1-infected persons has been associated with disease state and clinical prognosis. However, the anti-HIV activities of CD8+ T cells from healthy uninfected blood donors have not been fully established. Methods In this study we assessed the ability of peripheral blood CD8+ T cells from healthy blood bank donors to inhibit HIV-1-replication. Co-culture assays were performed with CD8+ T cells and acutely HIV-1-infected primary CD4+ T cells. Also, CD8+ T cells were cultured and the derivative supernatants were evaluated in virus inhibition assays, ELISAs, and multiplex cytokine arrays. Results Variation was observed among CD8+ T cells from different blood donors in the ability to suppress HIV-1 replication. In the absence of stimulation, the CD8+ T cells, or their derivative fluids, lacked any appreciable anti-HIV activity. After PHA or anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation, the majority of CD8+ T cells and derivative fluids exhibited anti-HIV activity. Low levels of interferon-alpha were present in the CD8+ T cell fluids having increased anti-HIV activity, whereas CD8+ T cell fluids lacking anti-HIV activity contained undetectable levels of interferon-alpha. Other soluble factors present at increased levels in CD8+ T cell fluids having anti-HIV activity included TNF-beta, IL-8, IP-10, and TRAIL. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the secretion of antiviral levels of interferon-alpha is a normal function of CD8+ T cells in response to activation and stimulation. Variation in this immune response may influence host susceptibility to infection and disease.

Comparison of ELISA &amp; rapid screening tests for the diagnosis of HIV, HBV &amp; HCV among blood donors in blood bank of C.C.M. Medical College DurgChhatishgarh

Background : HIV,HBV,& HCV is preventable transmitted disease, can accurately & correctly analyse by Elisa ,a superior method than rapid screening of blood units & its components. Aim : To see the positive results shown by Elisa method is positive by rapid or not. By this the superiority of method can be decided for screening of blood units in blood bank. Method : Out of 3650 blood units a sample of 50 elisa reactives were retested by Rapid method & results are analysed & compared. Only the higher Optical density gives positive result by rapid. Lower Optical density were not detected by rapid method, carry the risk of transmission to recipient. Result : The result of Elisa is not parallel to rapid test. Many samples reactive by Elisa were not detected positive by rapid due to low OD. Conclusion : Study shown that Rapid testing of samples for HIV, HBV& HCV are inferior to Elisa, Which is a gold standard for screening of blood donors in blood banks. DOI: 10.21276/AABS.1450

A FHIR Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Interface for Platelet Transfusion Support.

Platelet transfusions are a cornerstone of therapy for patients who develop thrombocytopenia while undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). Many patients who develop Platelet Transfusion Refractoriness (PTR) require HLA-matched platelets. Identifying these patients early could lead to better utilization of platelets as well as increased platelet counts. We built a SMART on FHIR visualization tool to aid the oncology, blood bank, and blood donor center teams in identifying these patients by showing trends in thrombocytopenia along with a computer generated calculated Panel Reactive Antibody (cPRA) level. To do this, we required a FHIR interface to our HLA database. We describe our methods and outcome for constructing this FHIR interface, as well as the architecture and data flow of HLA data from its proprietary database to the SMART on FHIR environment and application database along with RESTful cPRA web service calculator. Future work will evaluate the clinical impact of this platelet visualization tool and overall success of our FHIR implementation.

Brief Report: Increased Expression of the Type I Interferon Receptor on CD4+ T Lymphocytes in HIV-1-Infected Individuals.

Type I interferons (IFN1s; eg, interferon-alpha and interferon-beta) are potent cytokines that inhibit the replication of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and other viruses. The antiviral and immunoregulatory activities of IFN1 are mediated through ligand-receptor interactions with the IFN1 receptor complex (IFNAR). Variation in the cell-surface density of IFNAR could play a role in HIV-1 pathogenesis. In this cross-sectional study of fresh whole blood, we used flow cytometry to evaluate the expression of IFNAR2 on lymphocyte subsets from HIV-1-infected (n = 33) and HIV-1-uninfected (n = 22) individuals. In comparison with healthy blood bank donors, we observed that the HIV-1-infected individuals, particularly those having advanced to disease, exhibited the increased expression of IFNAR2 on CD4 T cells (relative fluorescence intensity 6.9 vs. 9.0; P = 0.027). The CD4:CD4 T-cell IFNAR2 expression-level ratio provides an internally standardized measure of this alteration. The observed increased expression of IFNAR2 was largely restricted to CD4 T cells that expressed the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and lacked the expression of CCR5. HIV-1-infected individuals exhibit an increased expression of the IFN1 receptor on CD4 T cells. The level of IFNAR2 expression seems to increase with disease progression. These findings provide insight for the immunologic alterations associated with HIV-1 infection and possibly new therapeutic approaches.

Evaluation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency and methemoglobin concentration in blood donors in a Nigerian Tertiary hospital-based blood bank

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme deficiency and methemoglobinemia adversely impact on blood transfusion safety by significantly increasing blood storage lesion. Objective: To determine G6PD enzyme deficiency and methemoglobin levels among blood donors in a tertiary hospital-based blood bank in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: One hundred blood donors who met the criteria for blood donation were prospectively studied. Two milliliters of venous blood was collected from each participant into potassium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid specimen containers and analyzed for G6PD status and methemoglobin levels by spectrophotometry, on the same day of sample collection. Results: Among the donors, 43% had normal G6PD activity (9.32 ± 2.26 U/gHb), 44% had partially enzyme deficiency (4.92 ± 1.33 U/gHb), while 13% had total deficiency (0.47 ± 3.49 U/gHb); these were statistically different (P < 0.001). Methemoglobin concentration was elevated in 25% of study participants (3.05 ± 2.30%), while it was normal in 75% (0.99% ± 0.60%); these differences were statistically different (P < 0.001). Conclusion: A significant proportion of our blood donor set has G6PD enzyme deficiency (partial or total) as well as evidence of oxidation of hemoglobin; these findings have adverse implications on transfusion safety.

Adverse reactions to blood donation: A descriptive study of 3520 blood donors in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: The occurrence of adverse reactions to blood donation significantly hampers donor retention and negatively impacts on the universal availability of adequate numbers of blood donor units. Objective: To analyze the spectrum and prevalence of adverse reactions in blood donors in a tertiary hospital-based blood bank in Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: The details of 3520 blood donors who presented for donation over a 12 months period were retrieved from the departmental archives for analysis. These included sociodemographic information, type of donor, type and frequency of adverse reactions to blood donation. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) computer software. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to represent the distribution of donor characteristics (as percentages) and compare reaction rates by gender and severity, respectively. Results: The prevalence of adverse reactions to blood donation was (56/3520) 1.60%; this occurred more frequently in male and family replacement donors (55.35% and 100.0%, respectively). The spectrum of donor adverse reactions included anxiety 25 (44.64%), generalized body weakness 11 (19.64%), hematoma 10 (17.86%), fainting 5 (8.93%), and vomiting 5 (8.93%). Vasovagal reactions were the most frequent adverse reaction encountered among the donors (46/56; 82.14%). Conclusion: Vasovagal reactions are common adverse phenomena in our blood donor set; this has implications on transfusion safety and blood donor retention.

A variant of the CXCL11 gene may influence susceptibility to contact allergy, particularly in polysensitized patients.

Hereditary factors may influence individual susceptibility to contact allergy. To investigate genetic variants with impacts on early inflammatory reactions and T cell functions that possibly increase the risk of contact allergy. Three hundred and seventy two patients undergoing patch testing were recruited from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK). Of these, 133 were monosensitized and 239 were polysensitized, defined as reacting to three or more unrelated sensitizers. Within the polysensitized individuals, a subgroup with at least one particularly strong patch test reaction (strong reactors; n = 194) was considered. Three hundred and forty-seven blood bank donors served as controls. Fifteen genetic variants in 13 genes were analysed. The homozygous variant CXCL11 AA genotype (rs6817952) was significantly more frequent among polysensitized patients (10 of 239 = 4.2%; p = 0.0048; odds ratio 7.49; 95%CI: 1.7-36.1) than among monosensitized patients (2.2%) and in the control group (0.6%). None of the remaining genetic variants investigated were characterized by similarly strong associations. However, the significance was lost after correction for multiple comparisons. The homozygous variant CXCL11 genotype is associated with an increased risk of contact allergy. To confirm this exploratory finding, further independent studies are needed.

Novel genotype of Ehrlichia canis detected in samples of human blood bank donors in Costa Rica

This study focuses on the detection and identification of DNA and antibodies to Ehrlichia spp. in samples of blood bank donors in Costa Rica using molecular and serological techniques. Presence of Ehrlichia canis was determined in 10 (3.6%) out of 280 blood samples using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ehrlichial dsb conserved gene. Analysis of the ehrlichial trp36 polymorphic gene in these 10 samples revealed substantial polymorphism among the E. canis genotypes, including divergent tandem repeat sequences. Nucleotide sequences of dsb and trp36 amplicons revealed a novel genotype of E. canis in blood bank donors from Costa Rica. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) detected antibodies in 35 (35%) of 100 serum samples evaluated. Thirty samples showed low endpoint titers (64–256) to E. canis, whereas five sera yielded high endpoint titers (1024–8192); these five samples were also E. canis-PCR positive. These findings represent the first report of the presence of E. canis in humans in Central America.

Study of changes in the blood levels of copper and zinc following the blood exchange transfusion in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Blood exchange transfusion (EXT) is an essential treatment method in some icteric newborns and causes some changes in trace elements in them. The effects of blood exchange transfusion on zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in newborn infants is unknown. This study was conducted to determine the possible effects of EXT on Zn and Cu by comparing the levels of Zn and Cu in jaundiced neonates.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;In this study, 30 jaundiced term neonates undergoing EXT for the first time, because of idiopathic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, were selected. The Zn and Cu levels of 30 blood bank donors’ samples used for EXT were measured and 30 pairs of umbilical cord blood samples were examined for Zn and Cu before and one hour and five days after exchange transfusion. The serum bilirubin concentration was measured before and after EXT. The collected data in laboratory were analysed by statistical methods using SPSS.19. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; In this study 43% were girls and 56.7% were boys and the average age of the infants was 4.56 days at the time of admission. Before EXT, the average of serum bilirubin was 27.74±2.03 mg/dl, and the average of serum Zn was 48.53±4.94 μg/dl that was lower than serum Zn concentration one hour after EXT (55.98±7.60 μg/dl) and five days after EXT (56.63±10.92 μg/dl). This difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). Furthermore, the average of serum Cu concentration was 59.56±10.92 μg/dl before EXT, 60.48±10.05 μg/dl after EXT and 58.64±8.06 μg/dl five days after EXT that didn't vary significantly from each other.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;span lang="EN-IN"&gt;The results showed that after EXT, the serum Zn concentration was higher than before EXT but the changes in serum Cu concentration was little and negligible. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh(D) factor in and around Anatapuramu, Andhra Pradesh

Background: India is a vast country with lot of diversity in race, religion and creed. The same diversity has been observed in geographical distribution of blood groups in population within country. ABO and Rh blood groups are most important blood groups in human beings. Objectives: A retrospective study was conducted at Government Medical College/ Government General Hospital Blood Bank Anantapuramu over a period of one year from January 2014 to December 2014 to determine and compare the distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of one year was carried out at our blood bank in Government Medical College & Hospital, Anantapuramu in Andhra Pradesh, South India. Data pertaining to the blood groups of donors was collected from the Blood Bank donor register from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: The total donors studied from January 2014 to December 2014 were 6942. The distribution of blood groups was : blood group ‘A’ 1386 ( 20 % ), ‘B‘ 2489 ( 35.8 % ), ‘AB’ 509 ( 7.3 % ) and ‘ O ‘ 2558 ( 36.9 % ). In both Rh D positive and Rh D negative person’s blood group ‘ O ‘ was the commonest followed by blood group ‘ B ‘ Blood group ‘ AB ‘ is the least common. Conclusion: The “O” blood group is significantly high in our population and comparatively low “AB” blood group. Every transfusion center should have a record of frequency of blood group system in their population. The study of distribution of blood group is very important for blood banks and transfusion services that could contribute to the patients’ health care.

Seroprevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus in blood bank donors at Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia, 2008-2014.

Human lymphotropic virus (HTLV I/II) is a retrovirus that is prevalent across the Colombian Pacific coast, and is potentially transmissible by transfusion. Blood bank screening has been regulated since 2004, in order to reduce transmission of HTLV I/II through donation. Information on the seroprevalence of the virus in southwestern Colombia is limited. To determine the seroprevalence and the behavior of reactivity to HTLV I/II before and after the introduction of Western blot, and the comorbidity of HTLV and other infectious markers in donors from a blood bank in Cali, Colombia. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 77,117 blood bank donors from the Fundación Valle del Lili by analyzing records of donors who had been tested with the reactive test for anti-HTLV I-II antibodies (IgG) between January, 2008, and December, 2014. The cumulative seroprevalence during the study period was 0.24% (186/77,119). Reactivity was more common in women (61%), and the median age was 37 years (IQR: 24-48). The seroprevalence in the years before the introduction of Western blot was 0.13%, 0.19%, 0.31%, 0.32% and 0.18% (2008-2012), and thereafter it was 0.08% and 0.07% (2012-2014). Concomitant reactivity with other infectious markers was 11%: syphilis (57%), followed by HIV (19%), hepatitis B (14%) and hepatitis C (9%). The highest seroprevalence (0.38%) was reported in 2012. We found a high prevalence of reactivity to HTLV I-II compared to that reported in other studies. The results of this study are a starting point for the development of population studies.