Blood Donors Research Articles

High-frequency whole blood donation and its impact on mortality: Evidence from a data linkage study in Australia.

Previous reports suggest that blood donors have a lower mortality risk, which may partially reflect the "healthy donor effect" (HDE). HDE arises in donors due to selection bias and confounding if not appropriately addressed. Using the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study data linked with blood donation history, we used a "5-year exposure window" method to select donors into regular high-frequency whole blood (WB)donors (at least two donations per exposure year) and low-frequency donors (remaining donors) with an active donation career of 5 years. To further reduce the confounding, we used statistical approaches like the inverse probability weighted (IPW) marginal structural model and the doubly robust targeted minimum loss-based estimator (TMLE), which incorporated machine learning algorithms and time-varying analyses. We selected 4750 (64.7%) low-frequency and 2588 (35.3%) high-frequency donors in the analyses. A total of 69 (1.5%) from the low-frequency and 45 (1.7%) donors from the regular high-frequency group died during the 7-year follow-up period. We did not find any statistically significant association between regular high-frequency blood donation and mortality (IPW RR = 0.98 95% CI 0.68, 1.28). TMLE model also showed similar results to IPW (RR = 0.97 95% CI 0.80, 1.16). Time-varying TMLE did not find any significant association between high-frequency donation and all-cause mortality either (RR = 0.98 95% 0.74, 1.29). We did not find a significant association between regular high-frequency WB donation and all-cause mortality when appropriate methods were employed to minimize the HDE.

Risk of transfusion-associated malaria in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Mali.

Malaria is a health threat in sub-Saharan Africa, where Plasmodium is not tested in blood bags. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of plasmodial carriage in blood bags and the associated factors, and the involvement of these bags in the occurrence of malaria in recipients. From 1st April to 30th November, 2020, we conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of 348 blood bags stored at 4°C in Bamako. Using SPSS 21.0 software, statistical analyses were performed using a binary logistic regression model with a significance threshold of p < 0.05 and the odds ratio (OR) framed by its 95% confidence interval (CI). During this period, 348 blood bags were transfused into 108/152 hospitalised patients, generating a transfusion frequency of 71.1%, with a prevalence of plasmodial carriage of 22%. Among the 54 initially malaria-negative recipients, all 20 (37%) who received malaria-positive blood bags and slept under long-acting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) developed malaria. We recorded 33.3% deaths. Donor age ≤ 34 years (p = 0.011; OR = 2.55[CI.95% = 1.25-5.23]), replacement donation (p = 0.000; OR = 0.04[CI.95% = 0.0-0.19]) and not regular use of LLINs by donors (p = 0.048; OR = 0.53[CI.95% = 0.29-1]) were factors associated with plasmodial carriage of blood bags. CD4 count<200 cells/mm3 (p = 0.002; OR = 0.2[CI.95% = 0.10-0.52]), severe anaemia (p = 0.034; OR = 0.26[CI.95% = 0.10-0.90]) and decompensated anaemia (p = 0.034; OR = 3.88[CI.95% = 1.11-13.56]) were factors independently associated with recipient death. The prevalence of plasmodial carriage among blood donors is increasing in Mali. Transfusion malaria is a reality to be feared, with the risk increasing with the level of malaria endemicity of the blood donor.

Risk of introducing Zika virus in the Canadian cord blood supply: A risk analysis.

In Canada, as many as 24% of mothers are deferred from cord blood (CB) donation due to risk factors for Zika virus (ZIKV). However, the ZIKV epidemic has waned considerably since 2016, and there has not been any report of ZIKV transmission by CB transplantation, which questions this policy. Thus, we performed an analysis of the risk of introducing ZIKV in the CB supply maintained by Héma-Québec (HQ) and Canadian Blood Services (CBS). This simulation considered the following parameters: the risk of travel exposure in a high-risk ZIKV country, the duration of travel, the daily risk of acquiring ZIKV in a high-risk country, the probability of materno-fetal ZIKV transmission, the probability of asymptomatic fetal viremia, and the probability of sexual transmission. A hundred million Monte Carlo simulations were run. In the most-likely scenario (probability of traveling to a high-risk ZIKV country while pregnant = 0.178), the risk was estimated at 0.9 ZIKV-positive donations per million donations (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4-1.6)-or one every 868 years at HQ and one every 453 years at CBS. In the pessimistic model (probability of traveling to a high-risk ZIKV country while pregnant = 0.240), the risk was estimated at 1.2 ZIKV-positive donations per million donations (95% CI = 0.6-2.1)-or one every 644 years at HQ and one every 340 years at CBS. We conclude that the risk of introducing ZIKV in the Canadian CB supply is too small to justify maintaining the current policy.

Comparing quality parameters of apheresis and pooled platelet concentrates

Introduction. Harvesting of pooled platelet concentrates (PC) significantly expands the volume of transfusion support and could be used to create strategic platelet reserve.The aim of work. To compare the quality of pooled and apheresis platelet concentrates.Materials and methods. We studied platelet fractions (PF), isolated from the whole blood of cadre donors with Reveos system, platelet concentrates, obtained by pooling PF (Pooled PC), and platelet concentrates harvested by automatic apheresis. In all cases 2 days passed from the moment of blood donation to the platelet examination. In PC samples we studied cellular composition, morphofunctional parameters of platelets, pH and electrochemical parameters, hypotonic shock response.Results. The morphofunctional platelet rate in PF was significantly reduced, comparing to the normal levels. At the same time, the morphofunctional parameters of platelets did not significantly differ in PF and pooled PC. The pH values, the total content of platelets and leukocytes in the pooled PC corresponded to the requirements of The rules for procurement, storage, transportation and clinical use of donated blood and its components (2019). The total platelet count, the level of annexin-positive platelets, did not significantly differ in apheresis PC and pooled PC, hypotonic shock response was correct in apheresis PC and pooled PC. On the other hand, the level of platelets with granules in pooled PC was 1,8 times lower than in apheresis PC, other morphofunctional parameters of platelets in pooled PC were also reduced. Pooled PC were characterized by more positive level of open circuit potential and lower antioxidant capacity compared with apheresis PC on the same storage time.Conclusions. Platelet pooling with Reveos system is acceptable for obtaining PC doses that comply with Technical Regulations. Nevertheless, methods of pooled PC harvesting need further optimization.

Development and validation of the self-regulation of blood donation scale for blood donors

BackgroundBecause knowledge of blood donor motivation is crucial in guiding recruitment and retention efforts, the present study aimed at developing and validating a new scale as a multidimensional measure of blood donation motivation from the perspective of the self- determination theory. MethodsThis study was conducted in three phases from September 2022 to May 2023. The first phase involved developing a draft scale based on a literature review. In the second phase, face and content validity were performed. The third phase used a cross-sectional design to assess the construct validity and internal consistency of the initial scale following administration to blood donors with a history of at least one previous whole blood donation who visited the largest blood transfusion center in Iran. Of the 420 subjects who were recruited using a mixed sampling method, 343 who fully completed the initial version of the scale were subjected to an construct validity assessment using exploratory factor analysis with Equamax rotation and internal consistency using McDonald's omega coefficient. Main resultsThe initial version of the scale consisted of 30 survey items with both a content validity ratio and a content validity index of 0.99. Exploratory factor analysis identified 24 items; grouped in six regulation factors (non-regulation, external regulation, introjected regulation, identified regulation, integrated regulation, and intrinsic regulation). The factors demonstrated adequate internal consistency with ω values ranging from 0.60 to 0.79. ConclusionThe present study provides psychometric support for the newly developed questionnaire to evaluate donation motivation among blood donors in Iran or in other countries with similar language, and religious and cultural values.

Carrier frequency and molecular basis of hemoglobinopathies among blood donors in eastern Morocco: Implications for blood donation and genetic diagnosis

BackgroundHemoglobinopathies represent the most commonly inherited autosomal recessive blood disorders in the world. The aim of this study was to determine the carrier frequency and molecular basis of hemoglobinopathies among blood donors in eastern Morocco. This is the first study of its kind for this country. MethodsHealthy blood donors of the BRO Biobank were included in this study. Blood samples were analyzed using an automatic blood cell analyzer for complete blood counts. Hemoglobin fractions were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis and serum ferritin was measured on a chemical and immunological analyzer. Suspected hemoglobinopathy carriers were further characterized by Sanger sequencing, Gap PCR and PCR-RFLP. ResultsThe study involved 2013 blood donors, of whom 1063 were male and 950 were female (sex ratio male-to-female of 1.1). The median age of these donors was 35 years. The overall carrier frequency of hemoglobinopathies was 1.84 %, with β-thalassemia carriers being the most prevalent (0.65 %) followed by HbAC (0.55 %), α-thalassemia carriers (0.30 %), HbAS (0.1 %), HbAG-Philadelphia (0.1 %), HbAD-Ouled Rabah (0.05 %) and HbAO-Arab (0.05 %). Additionally, novel β-thalassemia variants (C6(−G) and −83(A > G)) and a structural variant (Hb D-Ouled Rabah) were discovered for the first time in Morocco. ConclusionsThis study provided the first report on carrier frequency and molecular basis of hemoglobinopathies among healthy donors in Morocco. These findings are valuable for the implementation of carrier screening and genetic diagnosis for hemoglobinopathies. Furthermore, these results justify the need to introduce pre-donation screening for hemoglobinopathy carriers in Morocco, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of carriers to enhance the overall quality of the national blood supply.

Seroprevalence and detection of Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) among healthy blood donors residing in Qatar

BackgroundHuman herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is a critical causative agent behind Kaposi sarcoma (KS), an oncogenic disease with profound consequences in immunocompromised individuals. Studies suggested HHV-8 seroprevalence in healthy populations is uncommon, but comprehensive investigations within the Middle East region remain scarce. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by meticulously assessing HHV-8 seroprevalence among healthy blood donors in Qatar, leveraging serological methodologies and PCR. MethodsWe used sera samples collected from 621 healthy blood donors (median age = 36 years, IQR 30-43) from different nationalities residing in Qatar, mainly from the MENA region and Southeast Asia. All sera samples were tested for total anti-HHV-8 IgG antibodies using ELISA. The presence of lytic HHV-8 antibodies was confirmed by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Further, HHV-8 DNA was tested and quantitated by qRT-PCR. ResultsELISA detected anti-HHV-8 IgG total antibodies in 6.9% [43/621, 95%CI 5.2-9.2] of the tested samples. Subsequent testing by IFA revealed that 14% [6/43, 95%CI 3.6-24.3] of these anti-HHV-8 IgG were classified as HHV-8 lytic antibodies. This suggests that 0.97% [6/621, 95%CI 0.2-1.7] of these donors had a recent or ongoing active infection and viral replication. Only one seronegative Qatari blood donor had detectable HHV-8 DNA in his blood. No significant difference was observed between HHV-8 seropositivity and the demographic characteristics of the donors. ConclusionOur study showed that HHV-8 prevalence in Qatar aligns closely with global reports. Moreover, our findings raise considerations regarding HHV-8’s potential transmission via transfusion, which suggests the value of routine HHV-8 screening, particularly for immunocompromised patients vulnerable to KS.

Prevalence of Chagas disease among Latin American immigrants in non-endemic countries: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundChagas disease (CD), endemic in 21 Latin American countries, has gradually spread beyond its traditional borders due to migratory movements and emerging as a global health concern. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of available data to establish updated prevalence estimates of CD in Latin American migrants residing in non-endemic countries. MethodsAa systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and LILACS via Virtual Health Library (Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde - BVS), including references published until November 1st, 2023. Pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random effect models. Heterogeneity was assessed by the chi-square test and the I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity among studies. The study was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022354237). FindingsFrom a total of 1,474 articles screened, a total of 51 studies were included. Studies were conducted in eight non-endemic countries (most in Spain), between 2006 and 2023, and involving 82,369 screened individuals. The estimated pooled prevalence of CD in Latin American migrants living in non-endemic countries was 3.5% (95% CI: 2.5-4.7; I2: 97.7%), considering studies in which screening was indicated simply because the person was Latin American. Per subgroups, the pooled CD prevalence was 11.0% (95% CI: 7.7-15.5) in non-targeted screening (unselected population in reference centers) (27 studies); in blood donors (4 studies), the pooled prevalence was 0.8% (95% CI: 0.2-3.4); among people living with HIV Latin American immigrants (4 studies) 2.4% (95% CI: 1.4-4.3) and for Latin American pregnant and postpartum women (14 studies) 3.7% (95 CI: 2.4-5.6). The pooled proportion of congenital transmission was 4.4% (95% CI: 3.3-5.8). Regarding the participants’ country of origin, 7,964 were from Bolivia, of which 1,715 (21,5%) were diagnosed with CD, and 21,304 were from other Latin American countries of which 154 (0,72%) were affected. InterpretationCD poses a significant burden of disease in Latin American immigrants in non-endemic countries, suggesting that CD is no longer a problem limited to the American continent and must be considered as a global health challenge. FundingThis study was funded by the World Heart Federation, through a research collaboration with Novartis Pharma AG.

Impact of CCR5Δ32 on the risk of infection, Staphylococcus aureus carriage, and plasma concentrations of chemokines in Danish blood donors

The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a suggested receptor for Staphylococcus aureus leukotoxin ED. Homozygosity for the Δ32 deletion (CCR5Δ32) protects against human immunodeficiency virus infection and possibly also against leukotoxin ED. We examined the impact of CCR5Δ32 on the susceptibility to S.aureus infection, all-cause infections, and S.aureus nasal carriage, respectively, and on the concentrations of circulating chemokines in blood donors. We included 95,406 participants from the Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) genotyped for >650,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms. The CCR5Δ32 (rs333, MAF: 0.12) was imputed from a reference panel and validated. Infectious outcomes were identified by diagnosis codes and redeemed prescription of antibiotics in national health registers. Data on S.aureus nasal carriage and forty-seven inflammatory biomarkers were available for 6721 and 7811 participants, respectively. Cox, logistic, and linear regression models adjusted for relevant confounders were used to explore said associations. During more than 700,000 person-years of observation, we found that CCR5Δ32 was associated with neither an increased risk of redeemed dicloxacillin, hospital-treated S.aureus-associated infection (replicated in 345,996 Icelanders), redeemed antibiotics, all-cause infection, and nor with S.aureus nasal carriage. We discovered an association between CCR5Δ32 and elevated CCL4 concentrations, which were 1.26-fold higher in Δ32-heterozygotes (95%-CI: 1.23-1.30) and 2.64-fold higher in Δ32-homozygotes (95%-CI: 2.41-2.90) compared with wildtype homozygotes. Conversely, concentrations of CCL2, CXCL-10, and CCL11 were slightly lower among Δ32-heterozygotes. Results from this CCR5Δ32 high-prevalent cohort do not support the idea that CCR5Δ32 affects the risk of S.aureus carriage or infection to any relevant degree, in this northern European context. CCL4 was the main chemokine affected by CCR5Δ32 and was observed in higher concentration among Δ32-carriers. This study cannot rule out that S.aureus is a previous driver of CCR5Δ32 selection. The Health Research Fund of Central Denmark Region, Aarhus University, Danish Administrative Regions, Bio- and Genome Bank Denmark, Danish Blood Donor Research Foundation, Aase & Ejnar Danielsens Foundation, Højmosegård Grant, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and A.P. Møller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science.

SPA Promotes Atherosclerosis Through Mediating Macrophage Foam Cell Formation-Brief Report.

Atherosclerosis is a progressive inflammatory disease in which macrophage foam cells play a central role in disease pathogenesis. SPA (surfactant protein A) is a lipid-associating protein involved with regulating macrophage function in various inflammatory diseases. However, the role of SPA in atherosclerosis and macrophage foam cell formation has not been investigated. SPA expression was assessed in healthy and atherosclerotic human coronary arteries and the brachiocephalic arteries of wild-type or ApoE-deficient mice fed high-fat diets for 4 weeks. Hypercholesteremic wild-type and SPA-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks were investigated for atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. In vitro experiments using RAW264.7 macrophages, primary resident peritoneal macrophages extracted from wild-type or SPA-deficient mice, and human monocyte-derived macrophages from the peripheral blood of healthy donors determined the functional effects of SPA in macrophage foam cell formation. SPA expression was increased in atherosclerotic lesions in humans and ApoE-deficient mice and in response to a proatherosclerotic stimulus in vitro. SPA deficiency reduced the lipid profiles induced by hypercholesterolemia, attenuated atherosclerosis, and reduced the number of lesion-associated macrophage foam cells. In vitro studies revealed that SPA deficiency reduced intracellular cholesterol accumulation and macrophage foam cell formation. Mechanistically, SPA deficiency dramatically downregulated the expression of scavenger receptor CD36 (cluster of differentiation antigen 36) cellular and lesional expression. Importantly, SPA also increased CD36 expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Our results elucidate that SPA is a novel factor promoting atherosclerosis development. SPA enhances macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis by increasing scavenger receptor CD36 expression, leading to increasing cellular OxLDL influx.

Epidemiology and clinical description of Chagas disease in Valencia, Spain, from 2010 to 2020

Chagas disease (CD), caused by the flagellate protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic in 21 American countries. It is estimated that about 6-8 million people are infected. Nevertheless, CD should be now considered a worldwide-distributed disease due to migratory movements from endemic to non-endemic regions where the infection risk is related to transplacental transmission to newborns from infected mothers or through blood or organ donations from infected individuals. Spain is the non-endemic country with the highest burden of CD in Europe. This study aims to assess the prevalence and perform a descriptive analysis of patients with CD at Hospital Universitari i Politécnic (HUiP) in Valencia, Spain, from 2010 to 2020, to raise awareness about the importance of the disease.We compared data collected from official sources (National Institute of Statistics and Microbiological Surveillance Network of the Comunitat Valenciana) as well as data from the Health Department-Valencia La Fe, Valencia (Spain). A total of 3713 subjects were analyzed, 3159 women and 554 men, of which 433 were positive, prevalence of 11.7%. Pediatric population accounted for 106 (24.5%) while adult population for 327 (75.5%). Most migrants were from Bolivia (298, 91.1%). Regarding women, 200 (64%) were of childbearing age and 90 (45%) of these were pregnant. DNA detection by PCR was positive only in 4 newborns (3.8%). Treatment with benznidazole was implemented in 204 patients and 107 developed adverse drug reactions (ADRs). In conclusion, the prevalence of CD in our health department is not negligible and poses a challenge for the health system; worrisomely, many patients remain undiagnosed and untreated.

A prospective study to evaluate the clinical specificity of the cobas® MPX Test kit for screening for HIV RNA, HCV RNA, and HBV DNA in blood donation samples using the cobas® 6800 System in HBV endemic areas

A prospective study to evaluate the clinical specificity of the cobas® MPX Test kit for screening for HIV RNA, HCV RNA, and HBV DNA in blood donation samples using the cobas® 6800 System in HBV endemic areas

Prevalence and implications of fragile X premutation screening in Thailand

The fragile X premutation is a public health concern worldwide. Implementing a comprehensive screening program for FMR1 premutation alleles could empower individuals and families with information, supporting informed health decisions and potentially reducing the incidence of fragile X syndrome (FXS). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FMR1 premutations in the Thai population. We screened 369 female blood donors and 449 males with tremor and/or ataxia who tested negative for spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 1, 2, and 3 for FMR1 CGG repeat expansions. Among the female blood donors, 0.27% (1/369) had a premutation allele, and 1.08% (4/369) had intermediate alleles. One female with a premutation carrier had 89 CGG repeats with one AGG interruption. In the male cohort, no premutations or full mutations were found; however, intermediate alleles were identified in 0.67% (3/449) of the males. This study provides the evidence of fragile X premutation screening in the Thai population. These findings contribute to the understanding of FMR1 premutation prevalence in Thailand and should encourage wider discussions on the feasibility for a national fragile X carrier screening program in Thailand to reduce the burden of fragile X-associated disorders.

Infectivity of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen-Positive Plasma With Undetectable HBV-DNA: Can HBsAg Screening Be Discontinued in Egyptian Blood Donors?

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infectivity data were reviewed and the 50% infectious dose (ID50) was reassessed in different HBsAg-positive infection stages enabling modelling of transfusion-transmitted (TT)-HBV infection risk if HBsAg donor screening was replaced by individual donation nucleic acid amplification technology (ID-NAT). Quantitative HBsAg and HBV-DNA assays were performed against international standards to compare the ratio between potential infectious HBV virions and subviral HBsAg particles in Egyptian HBsAg-positive blood donors as well as in Japanese chimpanzee samples of known infectivity. HBV-DNA load below the quantification limit of detection was estimated against a reference standard by replicate NAT testing (n = 25). Infectivity of chimpanzee samples collected during ramp-up and declining viremic phase were tested in a human liver chimeric mice (HLCM) model and compared with published infectivity data from different HBsAg-positive infection stages. Lowest estimates of ID50 in HBsAg-positive plasma were 3-6 HBV virions in chimpanzee studies. Infectivity decreased approximately 10-100-fold in the declining viremic phase using HLCM. In acute phase samples, HBV to HBsAg particle ratios varied between 1:102-104 but in HBsAg-positive blood donors this particle ratio reached 1:106-1012 when viral load was below 100 HBV-DNA copies/mL. Modelled TT-HBV risk of an HBsAg-positive/ID-NAT nonreactive blood transfusion was estimated at 5.5%-27% for components containing 20-200 mL of plasma when assuming an ID50 of 316 (point estimate between 100 and 1000) virions. It cannot be ensured that discontinuation of HBsAg donor screening and reliance on ID-NAT alone is safe.

Application of Random Quality Control Based on Time -Series Model in ELISA Detection of Blood Donors in Nanjing

This study introduces a completely Random Quality Control (R-QC) method for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) tests and compares it with traditional Fixed Quality Control (F-QC) methods across different testing items. A random quality control system was constructed using a Time-series model, enabling fully random positioning of quality control in ELISA tests. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) for R-QC were found to be lower as compared to F-QC in Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (anti-HIV), and Treponema Pallidum (TP) items, and there were significant differences among them. Moreover, the alarm rates and out of control rates in the R-QC groups were notably lower than those in the F-QC groups. The experimentally designed R-QC method demonstrates superior stability, reducing alarm and out of control rates, with has significant implications for improving ELISA testing at the Nanjing Blood Center.

Knowledge and perceptions of South African blood donors towards biobanking and stool donation.

The complexity of contexts and varied purposes for which biome donation are requested are unknown in South Africa. The aim of this study was to provide strategic data towards actualisation of whether a stool donor bank may be established as a collaborative between Western Cape Blood Services (WCBS) and the University of Cape Town (UCT). We designed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey to determine willingness of WCBS blood donors to donate stool specimens for microbiome biobanking. The study was conducted between 01 June 2022 and 01 July 2022 at three WCBS donation centres in Cape Town, South Africa. Anonymous blood donors who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Anonymised demographic and interview data were analysed statistically. Analysis of responses from 209/231 blood donors demonstrated in a logistic regression model that compensation (p < 0.001) and 'societal benefit outweighs inconvenience' beliefs (p = 7.751e-05) were covariates significantly associated with willingness to donate stool. Age was borderline significant at a 5% level (p = 0.0556). Most willing stool donors indicated that donating stool samples would not affect blood donations (140/157, 90%). Factors decreasing willingness to donate were stool collection being unpleasant or embarrassing. The survey provides strategic data for the establishment of a stool bank and provided an understanding of the underlying determinants regarding becoming potential donors. This is the first report on the perspectives of potential participants in donating samples towards a stool microbiome biobank in South Africa, a necessity for faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

Estimated Plasmodium 18S ribosomal RNA prevalence in asymptomatic blood donors from three African countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) African Region accounts for 94% of malaria cases globally, with variability recognized within endemic regions. To determine the detection rate of Plasmodium RNA in blood donors resident in malaria-endemic areas, samples from three African countries were tested using a Plasmodium nucleic acid test. Whole blood (WB) samples collected from routine donors in Cameroon, Madagascar and Mali were shipped frozen to the United States. Samples were tested individually from WB lysates with the Procleix Plasmodium assay (transcription-mediated amplification [TMA]). Reactive samples were considered either repeat reactive or initial reactive only, depending on TMA-retest results. When available, matching plasma samples were tested for Plasmodium antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Plasmodium repeat reactivity ranged from 41% (91/223 tested) in Cameroon to 12% (26/216) in Mali and 1% (3/249) in Madagascar. Initially reactive samples, where reactivity did not repeat, were identified from Cameroon (5/223; 2%) and Mali (2/216; 1%). The matched-plasma subgroup had EIA reactivity ranging from 86% (113/131 tested) in Cameroon to 59% (10/17) in Mali and 27% (68/248) in Madagascar. Plasmodium ribosomal RNA (rRNA) detection and antibody rates varied greatly in the three countries studied. Detection of Plasmodium rRNA can provide an additional tool to address malaria risk in blood donors.

A Comprehensive Blood Bank Management System:Optimizing Donor and Inventory Tracki

An essential part of today's healthcare infrastructure is the Blood Bank Management System (BBMS), which makes sure that blood donations, inventories, and distribution are managed effectively and efficiently. This study provides a thorough examination of BBMS, stressing its salient characteristics, range of applications, and effects on blood bank operations. The study looks into how BBMS implementation can boost patient care, increase overall blood bank efficiency, and lead to better healthcare outcomes. This paper offers important insights into the role of technology in blood bank management through a combination of literature review, system development, and evaluation. Because they offer a consistent supply of blood products for transfusions, surgeries, and medical treatments, blood banks are essential to healthcare systems. However, issues like inventory shortages, waste, and human error are common with traditional blood bank management procedures. This paper's introduction addresses the importance of effective blood bank management and poses the following research question: Howcan blood bank operations be made more effective and efficient with the use of a blood bank management system? The study intends to advance blood bank management techniques and the general standard of patient care by addressing this question.

Current basic research in normothermic machine perfusion.

Background Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) is gradually being introduced into clinical transplantation to improve the quality of organs and increase utilisation. This review details current understanding of the underlying mechanistic effects of NMP in the heart, lung, liver and kidney. It also considers recent advancements to extend the perfusion interval in these organs and the use of NMP to introduce novel therapeutic interventions, with a focus on organ modulation. Summary The re-establishment of circulation during NMP leads to the upregulation of inflammatory and immune mediators, similar to an ischaemia reperfusion injury (IRI) response. The level of injury is determined by the condition of the organ, but inflammation may also be exacerbated by the passenger leucocytes that emerge from the organ during perfusion. There is evidence that damaged organs can recover and that prolonged NMP may be advantageous. In the liver, successful 7 day NMP has been achieved. The delivery of therapeutic agents to an organ can aid repair and be used to modify the organ to reduce immunogenicity or change the structure of the blood group antigens to create a universal donor blood group organ. Key messages The application of NMP in organ transplantation is a growing area of research and is increasingly being used in the clinic. In the future NMP may offer the opportunity to change practice. If organs can be preserved for days on an NMP system, transplantation may become an elective rather than an emergency procedure. The ability to introduce therapies during NMP is an effective way to treat an organ and avoid the complexity of treating the recipient.

Human-swine interface: is the hepatitis E virus a real risk for humans?

Abstract Background Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the agent of hepatitis E, an emerging public-health infection with an increasing incidence in Europe. Due to the apparent lack of species barriers, HEV is considered a zoonotic agent, with swine as the main reservoir. This study investigated HEV prevalence in humans and domestic pigs in Northern Italy, a highly anthropic area with the highest pig farm density, to gain insights into the risk of HEV transmission from swine to humans. Methods A total of 508 blood samples were collected from blood donors (341 males and 167 females; from 18 to 66 years old) and from 1619 pigs in 40 different farms. Serological analyses were performed with ELISA to detect anti-HEV antibodies. In addition, 120 faecal pool samples collected from the pig farms with the highest seroprevalence and 69 salami produced in the same area were analysed to detect viral genome by Real-time PCR. Results In humans, HEV seroprevalence was 4.9% (CI95% 0.03-0.07); positive donors were mainly males, with seroprevalence increasing up to 12% (CI95% 0.09-0.15) in the 46-55 age group. Seroprevalence in swine was 53.00% (CI95% 0.50-0.55), with HEV detected in only 1% (CI95% 0.001-0.045) faeces. All food samples tested negative. Conclusions Even if the seroprevalence in pigs highlighted that HEV was actively circulating in the farms, the low seroprevalence in humans, the scarce HEV detection in swine faeces, and the absence in food products suggested that HEV transmission via faecal-oral or foodborne routes is unlikely, probably due to the implementation of severe biosecurity measures and high standards of hygiene in swine farms, and the continuous assessment of the critical points in the pig supply chain (from farm to fork). The serological surveillance of humans and the monitoring of farmed animals are needed to support the competent authorities in timely managing public health issues, improving human health and veterinary safety from a One Health perspective. Key messages • In the human-swine interface is important to monitor HEV presence. • The One Health approach is essential to control zoonotic diseases.