Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

General Medicine Department, University Hospital, Padua, Italy.

Background: In 2016, a new recombinant B-domain deleted porcine FVIII (rpFVIII) was licensed in Italy for the treatment of acquired haemophilia A (AHA). But only a few cases of patients receiving this have been reported in the literature. Here we report the largest registry of the use of rpFVIII for the treatment of AHA. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Central Blood Bank Foundation, Córdoba, Argentina.

Background: Platelet transfusions are necessary to prevent and treat haemorrhages in thrombocytopenic patients or those with severe platelet dysfunction. In Latin American countries, including Argentina, blood supplies from voluntary non-remunerated blood donors remain dependent on family replacement donors, since altruistic repeat donors are exceptional and platelet donors are very scarce. The aim of this study was to recruit a group of frequent, voluntary, altruistic blood donors and determine their human platelet antigen (HPA)-genotype in order to establish the first registry of HPA-typed voluntary platelet donors in Argentina. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 May 15. Epub 2020 May 15.

The Blood and Tissue Bank Foundation of the Balearic Islands, Majorca.

Background: Pathogen reduction technology (PRT) may damage platelet (PLT) components. To study this, metabolic activity and haemostatic function of buffy coat (BC) PLT concentrates, with or without riboflavinand UV light PRT treatment, were compared.

Material And Methods: Twenty-four BC PLT concentrates, leukoreduced and diluted in additive solution, were grouped into 12 type-matched pairs, which were pooled and divided into 12 non-PRT-treated BC PLT concentrates (control units) and 12 riboflavin and UV PRT-treated BC PLT concentrates (test units). Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 May 15. Epub 2020 May 15.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America.

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is still a leading cause of maternal morbidity in the US. We aimed to reassess national trends in severe and non-severe PPH using recent data.

Material And Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using the 2001-2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.

Background: The use of point-of-care (POC) coagulometers for monitoring patients on vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment makes international normalised ratio (INR) results immediately available. The aim of this study was to compare patients' satisfaction with VKA treatment in two settings characterised by distinct ways of monitoring: POC INR versus laboratory INR.

Materials And Methods: We recruited adult patients on long-term warfarin treatment (July 2017-February 2018) from the Anticoagulation Clinics at five district health centres (namely Cospicua, Floriana, Mosta, Qormi, Rabat-POC INR) and at Mater Dei Hospital (Msida - Laboratory INR) in Malta. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 10. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Department, General Hospital of Segovia, Segovia, Spain.

Background: Autologous serum eye drops, produced by separation of liquid and cellular components of the patient's blood, contain biological nutrients present in natural tears. The aim of this study was to analyse changes in conjunctival impression cytology with transfer and both lachrymal stability and flow tests in patients with dry eye disease after treatment with autologous serum eye drops.

Materials And Methods: Conjunctival impression cytology and lachrymal flow and stability tests, namely Schirmer's and tear break-up time, were prospectively studied in patients with dry eye disease before and 1 month after treatment with autologous serum eye drops. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of Schleswig Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.

Background: A relationship is known to exist between gastric and pancreatic cancers and ABO antigens, caused by various immune modulations related to the ABO blood group of the patient. A similar relationship with regard to gynaecological cancers remains controversial.

Materials And Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for endometrioid endometrial cancer in International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I, II, III or IV from 2006 to 2018 were identified. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 10. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang.

Background: The frequency of kidney transplantation (KT) is increasing. Blood transfusion plays an important role in the success of KT. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is also used for desensitisation in ABO-incompatible KT and treatment of antibody-mediated rejection. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Paediatric Section, Department of Biomedicine and Human Oncology, "A. Moro" University, Bari.

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Division of Haematology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb.

Blood Transfus 2020 Jun 4. Epub 2020 Jun 4.

Centro de Transfusión de la Comunidad Valenciana, Valencia, Spain.

Background: Plasma of patients taking anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) leads to panagglutination in the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT), that can mask clinically significant alloantibodies. of test RBCs is the more widespread method for avoiding this interference. Current DTT 0. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 05;18(3):239-240

"IRCCS Ca' Granda Maggiore" Hospital Foundation, "Angelo Bianchi Bonomi" Haemophilia and Thrombosis Center and "Fondazione Luigi Villa", Milan, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 05;18(3):237-238

Intensive Cardiac Care Unit and "De Gasperis" Cardio Center, "ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda", Milan, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 05;18(3):235-236

Blood Bank, Immunohaematology and Transfusion Medicine Center; "A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino", Turin, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 05;18(3):233-234

Ophthalmology Unit, "S. Orsola-Malpighi" Teaching Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 May;18(3):230-232

Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Service, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico di Bari, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 05;18(3):226-229

Haemostasis and Thrombosis Center, Cremona Hospital, Cremona, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 05;18(3):163-166

Transfusional Medicine Unit, University-Hospital Policlinico, Bari, Italy.

Passive immunotherapy with plasma derived from convalescent patients recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection can be a promising approach in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. It is important that blood establishments are ready to satisfy requests for immune plasma by defining the requirements applicable to plasma donors and the standards for preparation, qualification, storage, distribution, and control of product use. This Position paper aims to give recommendations on the biological characteristics of a plasma preparation from convalescent donors and to support the evaluation of this therapeutic approach in more rigorous investigations. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 May 9;18(3):170-175. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Transfusion Medicine Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Background: Anticoagulant concentration in plasma units is extremely variable. Understanding the underlying causes of this variability could help personalise plasmapheresis procedures in order to optimise the risk-benefit ratio. We studied the association between anticoagulant solution A (usually ACD-A, Citrate Dextrose Solution A) volume in plasma units and donor characteristics to build a model to determine the needed weight of the final plasma unit to have an 80% probability of reaching 600 mL net plasma. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 May 8;18(3):167-169. Epub 2020 Apr 8.

IRCCS "Ca' Granda Maggiore" Hospital Foundation, "Angelo Bianchi Bonomi" Haemophilia and Thrombosis Center and "Fondazione Luigi Villa", Milan, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 May 3;18(3):208-216. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

"Banc de Sang i Teixits", Barcelona, Spain.

Background: There are many advantages to using cord blood (CB) as a source of therapeutic platelet and plasma derivatives for regenerative medicine. These include availability, universal use, young donor source, and virally safe biological material, rich in tissue regenerative factors.

Materials And Methods: We aimed to validate a bioprocess design for the production of cord blood-derived platelet concentrates (CBPC) in a public Cord Blood Bank (CBB). Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 May 10;18(3):182-190. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

Department of Surgical Specialties, Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Málaga, Málaga, Spain.

Background: Preoperative anaemia is highly prevalent among patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty (THA), and is the main risk factor for perioperative red blood cell transfusion (RBCT). This retrospective cohort study aimed at assessing whether preoperative haemoglobin (Hb) optimisation reduced RBCT rates and improved outcome in this patient population.

Materials And Methods: All patients entered a Patient Blood Management (PBM) programme consisting of in-hospital erythropoiesis stimulation, tranexamic acid administration, and a restrictive RBCT policy. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Apr 3. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Blood Transfusion Department, "Ruijin" Hospital, Medical School of Shanghai "Jiao Tong" University, Shanghai, China.

Background: Mutations of the ABO gene may cause the dysfunction of ABO glycosyltransferase (GT) that can result in weak ABO phenotypes. Here, we identified two novel weak ABO subgroup alleles and explored their mechanisms that caused A and B phenotypes.

Materials And Methods: The ABO phenotyping and genotyping were performed by serological studies and direct DNA sequencing of the ABO gene. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Mar 5;18(2):96-105. Epub 2019 Aug 5.

Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Background: Hospital-based intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment has been the standard treatment mode for patients with primary immunodeficiency disease (PID). With the newer home-based subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) becoming approved for use in most countries, the question arises as to whether SCIg is a cost-effective treatment mode compared to IVIg in Australia.

Materials And Methods: We developed a Markov cohort simulation model with six health states: PID without infection, PID with infection treated at home or hospital, bronchiectasis without infection, bronchiectasis with infection treated at home or hospital, bronchiectasis with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, and death, from an Australian healthcare system perspective. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 03;18(2):79-82

Deparment of Blood Transfusion, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Blood Transfus 2020 03;18(2):77-78

Italian Society of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology (SIMTI), Rome, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 Feb 28:1-8. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne.

Background: Nowadays, most blood products are leukocyte-reduced. After this procedure, the residual risk for transfusion transmitted cytomegalovirus (TT-CMV) is mostly attributed to cell-free viruses in the plasma of blood donors following primary infection or viral reactivation. Here, objectives are: 1) to study the behaviour of cell-free CMV through the blood component processing; 2) to determine the anti-CMV seroprevalence, the level of viremia, the window-period in blood donor population; and 3) to identify cases of TT-CMV in bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 May 17;18(3):217-225. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Research and Biomedical Innovation, Palermo, Italy.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) describes a spectrum of abnormal breathing patterns during sleep characterised by snoring, increased upper airway resistance and pharyngeal collapsibility, with alteration of normal oxygenation and ventilation. Intermittent desaturations during sleep have multi-organ implications. Adults with OSAS have an increased risk of developing a dysfunctional endothelium that is characterised by greater adherence of inflammatory mediators to endothelial cells and hypercoagulability. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Mar 17;18(2):83-85. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Laboratory of Reliability and Quality Control in Laboratory Hematology (HemQcR), Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health & Caring Sciences, University of West Attica (UniWA), Egaleo, Greece.

Blood Transfus 2020 May 17;18(3):159-162. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Red Cross Blood Service NSTOB, Institute Springe, Springe, Germany.

Blood Transfus 2020 Mar 28;18(2):130-142. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.

Background: In response to stress, anucleate red blood cells (RBCs) can undergo a process of atypical cell death characterised by intracellular Ca accumulation and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalisation. Here we studied alterations in RBC metabolism, a critical contributor to their capacity to survive environmental challenges, during this process.

Materials And Methods: Metabolomics analyses of RBCs and supernatants, using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, were performed after in vitro exposure of RBCs to different pathophysiological cell stressors, including starvation, extracellular hypertonicity, hyperthermia, and supraphysiological ionic stress. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 May 17;18(3):200-207. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States of America.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) exchange (RCE) transfusion therapy is indicated for certain patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Although beneficial, this therapy is costly and inconvenient to patients, who may require it monthly or more often. Identification of blood and plasma biomarkers that could improve or help individualise RCE therapy is of interest. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 01;18(1):3-5

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine; Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, NJ.

Blood Transfus 2020 01;18(1):1-2

Blood Transfusion Editor-in-Chief, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria "Giuliano Isontina" , Trieste, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 May 13;18(3):176-181. Epub 2019 Dec 13.

Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Central Hospital of Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ferric carboxymaltose in rheumatic patients with iron deficiency anaemia.

Materials And Methods: The study retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 34 patients with iron deficiency anaemia affected by inflammatory rheumatic diseases that are refractory or intolerant to oral iron therapy. They were treated with ferric carboxymaltose for a total of 56 cycles of treatment. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 Nov 4:1-11. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

Regional Reference Centre for Inherited Bleeding Disorders, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy.

Background: The recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII)-IgG1 Fc fusion protein (rFVIII-Fc) was the first available extended half-life rFVIII, shown to prolong dosing intervals of individualised prophylaxis in patients with severe haemophilia A, maintaining low bleeding rates and unchanged or lower FVIII dose versus standard half-life (SHL) rFVIII. Few data are available about real-world experience with rFVIII-Fc, including criteria for patient switching from SHL products, follow up and prophylaxis optimisation.

Materials And Methods: A single-centre retrospective study was designed to review patients switched to rFVIII-Fc, based on individual needs, after pharmacokinetic (PK) assessment, according to routine clinical practice. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 Nov 19:1-8. Epub 2019 Nov 19.

Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, "Aldo Moro" University, Bari, Italy.

Background: D-dimer (DD) is the most used fibrin-related marker and has been proposed, either alone or in combination with other variables, as prognostic factor in patients with sepsis. However, DD generation depends on both coagulation and fibrinolysis, meaning that it may give false negative results in conditions associated with marked fibrinolytic inhibition such as sepsis. In this study, we tested whether correction of DD for thrombin and plasmin generation could improve its prognostic significance in septic patients. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 01 20;18(1):40-48. Epub 2019 Nov 20.

Post-graduate Progamme in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Background: Red blood cells from smoking donors can have more lesions from oxidative stress, decreasing the benefits of blood transfusion. We aimed to explore the effect of cigarette smoking on the oxidative status of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) prior to storage.

Materials And Methods: We compared serum vitamin C, plasmatic malondialdehyde (MDA), and non-protein thiol groups (GSH) levels in PRBCs, as well glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione s-transferase (GST) activity in PRBCs from smoking (n=36) and non-smoking (n=36) donors. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 01 27;18(1):20-29. Epub 2019 Nov 27.

Department of Anaesthesiology, "CLINIC de Barcelona" Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Perioperative blood loss is an essential parameter in research into Patient Blood Management. However, currently there is no "gold standard" method to quantify it. Direct measurements of blood loss are considered unreliable methods, and the formulae to estimate it have proven to be significantly inaccurate. Read More

Blood Transfus 2020 Mar 17;18(2):106-116. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Blood Transfusion Centre, Legnano General Hospital, Legnano, Italy.

Background: Moderate to severe iron deficiency anaemia is a common finding in patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED). According to Patient Blood Management principles, intravenous iron should be the therapy of choice instead of blood transfusion for selected cases affected by chronic iron deficiency anaemia. However, this option is only rarely taken into account by physicians in the ED. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 11 11;17(6):479-486. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

University of Illinois College of Medicine, and the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute, Peoria, IL, United States of America.

Prophylactic factor VIII (FVIII) has dramatically improved haemophilia A treatment, preventing joint bleeding and halting the deterioration of joint status. FVIII products with an extended plasma half-life further improve patients' quality of life and increase therapeutic adherence. New licensed classes of non-replacement products include prophylactic emicizumab, which is administered subcutaneously up to every 4 weeks. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 11 11;17(6):465-478. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used in different non-transfusion indications due to its role in tissue regeneration and healing. The aim of this overview of systematic reviews (umbrella review) is to provide a summary of the existing research syntheses related to PRP use for sports-related muscle, tendon and ligament injuries.

Materials And Methods: Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify systematic reviews focusing on PRP use for sports-related muscle, tendon and ligament injuries. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 11 11;17(6):449-458. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

Italian National Blood Transfusion Centre, Rome, Italy.

Since the inception of industrial plasma fractionation during the Second World War, a succession of protein therapies isolated from plasma have determined the volume of plasma requiring collection, and have also shaped the economics of the industry. These so-called plasma drivers have successively included albumin, coagulation Factor VIII (FVIII) and, for the past thirty years, intravenously (IV) and subcutaneously (SC) administered immunoglobulin (IG) solutions. The sale of IG underpins the profitability of the industry and has experienced continuous growth over the past decades, as the result of growing clinical demand. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 11 11;17(6):433-448. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy.

Pathogen reduction (PR) of selected blood components is a technology that has been adopted in practice in various ways. Although they offer great advantages in improving the safety of the blood supply, these technologies have limitations which hinder their broader use, e.g. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 11;17(6):428-432

Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.

Background: The routes of hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission have still not been fully clarified. Here, we evaluated the possibility of sexual transmission of HEV, which remains a highly disputed issue.

Materials And Methods: Hepatitis E virus sexual transmission risk was assessed by comparing the prevalence of HEV infection in a sample of 196 Italian men who have sex with men (MSM) involved in a multi-country hepatitis A virus (HAV) outbreak, and in 3,912 Italian male blood donors selected from the same regions and provinces as the MSM. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 11 11;17(6):409-417. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.

Background: In Italy, the use of nucleic acid testing for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in donor screening has allowed the detection of infections in the window phase, as well as the presence of occult infections which could potentially be transmitted. The aim of this study was to analyse the trends of epidemiological data focused on HBV infection in blood donors and to estimate the residual risk of transmitting HBV from both the window phase and occult infection over a 10-year period in Italy.

Materials And Methods: Data were obtained from the Italian Haemovigilance System which includes the results of screening tests for transfusion transmissible infections. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 11;17(6):403-408

National Institute of Blood Transfusion/INTS, Department of Blood Borne Agents, National Reference Center for Infectious Risks in Blood Transfusion, Paris, France.

Background: In Cameroon, the prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission by blood transfusion is still only based on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening. However, occult HBV infection (OBI) characterised by the absence of detectable HBsAg and low level of viral DNA remains a potential threat for blood safety. The prevalence of OBI was investigated in blood donors from Yaoundé to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve HBV blood safety. Read More

Blood Transfus 2019 11 11;17(6):401-402. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

Italian National Blood Centre, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2019 11 11;17(6):399-400. Epub 2019 Dec 11.

Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haematology, "Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico", Milan, Italy.

Blood Transfus 2020 Mar 8;18(2):117-129. Epub 2019 Oct 8.

Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.

The role of platelets in haemostasis has long been known, but understanding of these cells' involvement in wound healing/tissue repair is more recent and has given rise to a multitude of translational studies. Tissue repair processes consist of complex, regulated interactions between cells modulated by biologically active molecules, most of which are growth factors released by activated platelets: this aspect represents the rationale on which the use of platelet derivatives for clinical purposes is based. In the last years, many in vitro studies have focused on the mechanisms of action by which these growth factors affect the biological activities of cells, thus supporting tissue healing. Read More