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Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi 2019 Apr;27(2):515-519

Department of Hematology, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 402160, China,E-mail:

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safely of DAC and CAG/HAG preexcitation chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of patients with MDS-RAEB (refractory anemia with excess blasts, RAEB).

Methods: The clinical data of 86 MDS-RAEB patients were analyzed retrospectively from February 2014 to February 2018. According to therapeutic regimem, the 86 patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (41 patients) with DAC preexcitation chemotherapy regimen, and group B (45 patients) with CAG/HAG preexcitation chemotherapy regimen; and the disease control effect, effective treatment course, median survival time and incidence of adverse reactions were compared between these 2 groups. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr 16. Epub 2019 Apr 16.

Department of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital, Niigata, Japan.

Background: The Rh complex contributes to cell membrane structural integrity of erythrocytes. Rh syndrome is characterized by the absence of the Rh antigen on the erythrocyte membrane, resulting in chronic hemolytic anemia. We recently came across 3 Rh phenotype probands within two families with the same novel RHAG mutation in the Japanese population. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2019 May 5;17(5):3477-3482. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Department of Gynecology, Maternity and Child Health Care of Zaozhuang, Zaozhuang, Shandong 277100, P.R. China.

Effects of cooperative blood transfusion and homologous blood transfusion on the production of red blood cell irregular antibodies in obstetric patients were investigated. A total of 300 obstetric patients who underwent blood transfusion in the Maternity and Child Health Care of Zaozhuang from February 2016 to February 2018 were enrolled. There were 150 obstetric patients receiving the same type of transfusion who were included in the control group. Read More

Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2019 Apr 12;35(2):304-312. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

5Departments of Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

The process of storage and transportation of the red blood cells (RBCs) out of the standard temperature range lead to some biochemical reactions. Infusing inappropriately stored RBCs may cause severe complications. The main objective of this study was to investigate the RBC bags' temperature during the transfusion chain including storage, transportation, and transfusion. Read More

Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2019 Apr 1;35(2):223-232. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

Centre for Stem Cell Research, A Unit of inStem Bengaluru, Christian Medical College Campus, Bagayam, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632002 India.

Bone marrow niche constituents have been implicated in the genesis of clonal hematopoietic dysfunction in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), though the exact role of stroma in the pathogenesis of MDS remains to be defined. We have evaluated the characteristics of mesenchymal stromal cells in a cohort of patients with MDS with multilineage dysplasia (MDS-MLD). MSCs were cultured from bone marrow aspirates of MDS-MLD patients and controls with healthy bone marrow. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr 15. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Clinical Transfusion Research Center, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Background: China has not yet incorporated routine human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-1/2 blood donor screening, even though HTLV has been reported in the southeastern coastal region. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of HTLV in five major regions across of China.

Methods: From January 2016 to December 2017, blood samples were collected in 20 blood centers located in different regions of China. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Apr;98(15):e15094

Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan.

The aim of this analysis is to investigate the level of T cell subsets in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the effect of low-dose interleukin 2 (IL-2).This is a retrospective cohort study, we collected basic information, inflammatory markers, BASDAI scores, and T lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood in patients with AS, baseline analysis, correlation analysis and comparative analysis before and after treatment were performed.Data from 73 patients (of these, 36 patients were treated with IL-2) and 85 the health were included. Read More

New Microbes New Infect 2019 May 8;29:100512. Epub 2019 Mar 8.

Laboratoire des Arbovirus et Virus de Fièvres Hémorragiques, Institut Pasteur de Dakar, Senegal.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is the most widely distributed flavivirus worldwide. It is a mosquito-borne virus, and birds constitute its natural reservoir. Humans and equines are considered accidental hosts. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2019 Apr 14. Epub 2019 Apr 14.

Department of Clinical Biological Resource Bank, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.

Genetics might play various roles in susceptibility to recurrent miscarriage, and previous studies suggest that some gene polymorphisms might be associated with abortion and breast cancer onset. Colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) is a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcript that might be correlated with susceptibility to multiple cancers, including breast cancer. However, whether lncRNA CCAT2 polymorphisms are related to susceptibility to recurrent miscarriage is unclear. Read More

Lancet Haematol 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Pediatric Immunohematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

Background: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is a rare, life-threatening, X-linked primary immunodeficiency characterised by microthrombocytopenia, infections, eczema, autoimmunity, and malignant disease. Lentiviral vector-mediated haemopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) gene therapy is a potentially curative treatment that represents an alternative to allogeneic HSPC transplantation. Here, we report safety and efficacy data from an interim analysis of patients with severe Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome who received lentiviral vector-derived gene therapy. Read More

Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2019 Apr 10. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, Kivihaantie 7, 00310 Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address:

Platelets are collected for transfusion to patients with different hematological disorders, and for logistical reasons, platelets are stored as concentrates. Despite the carefully controlled conditions, platelets become activated during storage, and platelet concentrates (PLCs) may cause adverse inflammatory reactions in the recipients. We studied by mass spectrometry the lipidomic changes during storage of the clinical PLCs, the platelets isolated from PLCs, and the extracellular vesicles (EVs) thereof. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr;59(S2):1479-1489

U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Coagulation and Blood Research Task Area, Texas.

Introduction: Due to high risk of septic transfusion reactions arising from bacterial contamination, US Food and Drug Administration regulations currently limit platelet storage to 5 days at room temperature (RT). However, blood culturing methods can take up to 7 days to detect bacteria, allowing transfusion of potentially contaminated units. Thus, cold storage (CS) may be a viable means of extending shelf life and improving safety. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr;59(S2):1593-1600

Coagulation & Blood Research, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Background: Cellular therapeutic agents may benefit trauma patients by modulating the immune response to injury, and by reducing inflammation and vascular leakage. Administration of allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) shows some benefit in preclinical and clinical trials, but less testing has been performed with other cell types. Human primary fibroblasts (FBs) were compared to MSCs in assays designed to evaluate MSCs to determine if these assays actually evaluate properties unique to MSCs or whether related cell types perform similarly. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr;59(S2):1429-1438

Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.

Background: Despite countless advancements in trauma care a survivability gap still exists in the prehospital setting. Military studies clearly identify hemorrhage as the leading cause of potentially survivable prehospital death. Shifting resuscitation from the hospital to the point of injury has shown great promise in decreasing mortality among the severely injured. Read More

Transfus Clin Biol 2019 Mar 25. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, 101, Woodruff Circle, 30322 Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address:

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion support represents a critical component of sickle cell disease (SCD) management. However, as with any therapeutic intervention, RBC transfusion is not without risk. Repeat exposure to allogeneic RBCs can result in the development of RBC alloantibodies that can make it difficult to find compatible RBCs for future transfusions and can directly increase the risk of developing acute or delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions, which can be further complicated by hyperhemolysis. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2019 Apr 11;19(7). Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan.

Testing for blood-transmitted infectious agents is an important aspect of safe medical treatment. During emergencies, such as significant earthquakes, many patients need surgical treatment and/or blood transfusion. Because a waveguide mode (WM) sensor can be used as a portable, on-site blood testing device in emergency settings, we have previously developed WM sensors for detection of antibodies against hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus and for forward ABO and Rh(D) and reverse ABO blood typing. Read More

Platelets 2019 Apr 12:1-10. Epub 2019 Apr 12.

a Institute of molecular biology and genetics , Almazov National Medical Research Centre , St. Petersburg , Russia.

Platelet concentrates are used in clinic for therapy and prophylaxis of conditions associated with platelet deficiency or malfunction. The characteristics of platelet concentrates gradually change during pretransfusion storage, affecting their clinical effectiveness and the risk of adverse transfusion reactions. The presence of platelet-derived membrane vesicles is an important characteristic of platelet concentrates. Read More

Heliyon 2019 Mar 27;5(3):e01408. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Clinical Transfusion Research Center, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China.

Objective: To determine both the rates of appropriate red blood cells (RBCs) use in China and where inappropriate use is particularly prevalent.

Background: In China, obtaining the comprehensive picture in unnecessary RBCs transfusion is helpful for understanding the strained blood supplies and targeting training of clinicians.

Study Design: and methods: Eligible studies were mainly retrieved from four Chinese medical databases and four databases from abroad. Read More

Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Feb;35(2):169-173

Department of Transfusion Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an 710068, China. *Corresponding author, E-mail: 609445783@ qq.com.

Objective To explore clinical significance of transfusion safety by analyzing the results of screening the irregular antibodies and antibody identification. Methods The micro-column gel test cards were used to screen and identify irregular antibodies of 31 858 inpatients. Results Among the 31 858 cases, 31 517 (98. Read More

Transfus Med 2019 Apr;29(2):110-115

Institute for Transfusion Medicine Dessau, Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service NSTOB, Dessau, Germany.

Objectives: Our study aimed to establish a novel multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid simultaneous detection of all relevant human neutrophil antigen (HNA)-1, -3, -4 and -5 alleles.

Background: Granulocyte-reactive antibodies are involved in several diseases, such as neonatal alloimmune neutropenia, autoimmune neutropenia and transfusion-related acute lung injury. A panel of well-defined test granulocytes is required for diagnostic antibody detection and prospective blood donor screening. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Quebec City, Québec, Canada.

Background: Whereas platelet transfusion is a common medical procedure, inflammation still occurs in a fraction of transfused individuals despite the absence of any apparent infectious agents. Platelets can shed membrane vesicles, called extracellular vesicles (EVs), some of which contain mitochondria (mito+EV). With its content of damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), the mitochondrion can stimulate the innate immune system. Read More

Acta Haematol 2019 Apr 10;142(1):21-29. Epub 2019 Apr 10.

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

Preoperative anemia affects 30-40% of patients undergoing major surgery and is an independent risk factor for perioperative blood transfusion, morbidity, and mortality. Absolute or functional iron deficiency is its leading cause. Nonanemic hematinic deficiencies are also prevalent and may hamper preoperative hemoglobin optimization and/or recovery from postoperative anemia. Read More

Chin Med Sci J 2019 Mar;34(1):60-64

Department of Hematology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a relatively infrequent complication of heparin administration. HIT can cause devastating thrombosis, making it one of the most serious adverse drug reactions encountered in clinical practice. We successfully treated a case of severe HIT presenting with thrombosis and life-threatening bleeding complications with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), platelet transfusion and oral anticoagulant Rivaroxaban. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Background: The risk of transfusion reactions (TR) and the cost of blood has led to efforts to reduce blood use. We changed our practice to transfuse just one instead of two units of red blood cells (RBC) when hemoglobin ≤8 g/dL due to patient blood management (PBM) recommendations.

Methods And Materials: We compared RBC utilization in patients receiving allogeneic HCT in the 10 months before (control arm) and 13 months after implementation of this new practice (intervention arm). Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Department of Forensic Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan.

Background: The human FUT2 gene, which encodes a secretor type α(1,2)fucosyltransferase, is reported to have several population-specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variations. However, little is known about genetic variation of FUT2 in Native Americans.

Study Design And Methods: To detect SNPs and copy number variations of the FUT2 gene in Peruvians, direct sequencing and digital polymerase chain reaction were performed. Read More

J Contin Educ Nurs 2019 Apr;50(4):176-182

Health care professionals' knowledge and skills are fundamental to developing and strengthening the quality of blood transfusion procedures. This study evaluated nurses' knowledge about blood transfusion. This descriptive cross-sectional study comprised 171 nurses in medical and surgical units and intensive care units in two hospitals. Read More

Blood Cells Mol Dis 2019 Mar 25;77:23-28. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Background: There is a significant inter-individual heterogeneity of Vel antigen expression which can lead to inaccuracies on Vel phenotyping of blood donors and, potentially, to hemolytic post-transfusion reactions. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of genetic variants in the SMIM1 intron 2 on the expression of Vel antigen among Brazilian blood donors harboring the c.64_80del17 deletion in heterozygosity. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Apr 2. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Division of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

Background: The PBDX/XG gene encoding the Xg blood group antigen was described in 1994, but the genetic determinant of XG expression on RBCs was reported only in 2018. However, the frequencies of Xg(a-) individuals could not explain the rarity of anti-Xg makers. We therefore sought to elucidate the molecular basis of the Xg(a-) phenotype in people producing anti-Xg . Read More

Exp Ther Med 2019 Apr 22;17(4):3047-3052. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Department of Clinical Laboratory, Weihai Central Hospital, Weihai, Shandong 264400, P.R. China.

Effects of thrombelastogram-guided (TEG-guided) clopidogrel and aspirin on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were investigated. A retrospective analysis was performed on 203 patients undergoing PCI interventional therapy in the Cardiovascular Medicine of Weihai Central Hospital from February 2015 to September 2016. The patients were treated with clopidogrel and aspirin for anti-thrombus therapy. Read More

Cardiol Res Pract 2019 25;2019:7543917. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Cochrane Ecuador, Centro de Investigación en Salud Pública y Epidemiología Clínica (CISPEC), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Eugenio Espejo, Universidad UTE, Quito 170129, Ecuador.

Background: Leukocytes contained in the allogeneic packed red blood cell (PRBC) are the cause of certain adverse reactions associated with blood transfusion. Leukoreduction consists of eliminating leukocytes in all blood products below the established safety levels for any patient type. In this systematic review, we appraise the clinical effectiveness of allogeneic leukodepleted (LD) PRBC transfusion for preventing infections and death in patients undergoing major cardiovascular surgical procedures. Read More

Transfus Clin Biol 2019 Mar 4. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Inserm U955, Établissement Français du Sang, University Paris-Est-Creteil, 94010 Crétéil, France. Electronic address:

Transfus Clin Biol 2019 Feb 22. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Établissement Français du Sang, Inserm U955, Team 2, Paris Est University Creteil (UPEC), France. Electronic address:

Post-transfusion hemolysis is the most frequent immune reaction to transfusion in sickle cell disease. Its frequency is underestimated due to its biological and clinical characteristics. It results principally from the high incidence of alloimmunization in these patients, but no antibodies are detectable in 30% of cases. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Background: Transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO) is a leading cause of transfusion-attributable morbidity. It is unclear whether diuretics are safe and effective in preventing this reaction.

Materials And Methods: In a pilot controlled feasibility trial, inpatients 65 years or older ordered a single unit of red blood cells were randomized to pre-transfusion furosemide 20 mg or placebo intravenously. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2019 Mar 20. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders and Health Task Force, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address:

Background: Thalassemia trait and G6PD deficiency are asymptomatic and volunteers with these variants are eligible for blood donation.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate prevalence and hematologic profiles of blood donors with thalassemia trait and G6PD deficiency and the influence of these abnormalities have on donor retention and blood component preparation.

Methods: Prospectively recruited blood donors were investigated for thalassemia and G6PD deficiency. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Mar 28. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Queen Mary Hospital and University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.

Background: Leukoreduction (LR) of platelet concentrate (PC) has evolved as the standard to mitigate risks of alloimmunization, clinical refractoriness, acute transfusion reactions (ATRs), and cytomegalovirus infection, but does not prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). Amotosalen-ultraviolet A pathogen reduction (A-PR) of PC reduces risk of transfusion-transmitted infection and TA-GVHD. In vitro data indicate that A-PR effectively inactivates WBCs and infectious pathogens. Read More

Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2019 Mar 25;139(6). Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Background: Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) can occur in cases of bacteriuria with species expressing enzymes capable of converting tryptophan metabolites to red and blue pigments which are excreted in urine, leaving a characteristic purple colour. Risk factors include urinary catheterisation, constipation and chronic kidney disease. Treatment includes catheter replacement, and antibiotics in case of urinary tract infection. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019 Mar;23(5):2020-2027

Department of Blood Transfusion, Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital, Yantai, China.

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of primary liver cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that dysfunction of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays an important role in human cancers. MicroRNA-888 (miR-888) has been reported to be upregulated in multiple cancers that have a high rate of metastasis. Read More

Lab Med 2019 Mar 27. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Department of Medicine, Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.

The main clinical distinction between post-transfusion purpura (PTP) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the sudden development of severe thrombocytopenia in the days after transfusion. Herein, we report the case of a 53-year-old Caucasian woman who developed multiple myeloma (MM) after peripheral blood-stem-cell transplant (PBSCT), along with severe thrombocytopenia (with a nadir of 1 × 109/L); she also experienced severe adverse events after each platelet transfusion, including the first one. These reactions were absent with any other transfused blood products. Read More

Transfus Clin Biol 2019 Mar 9. Epub 2019 Mar 9.

Agence nationale de sécurité du médicament et des produits de santé (ANSM), 93285 Saint-Denis cedex, France.

In France, reporting of adverse events related, or likely to be related, to transfusion is mandatory. Since its creation in 1993, the French hemovigilance system has contributed to a better recognition of unappreciated risks like delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTR) in sickle-cell disease (SCD) patients. Long under-reported or misclassified, reports of this serious complication of transfusion have improved, particularly through the dissemination of information within the hemovigilance network. Read More

Transfus Med Rev 2019 Feb 23. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address:

Crossover or conversion between the homologous regions of glycophorin A (GYPA) and glycophorin B (GYPB) gives rise to several different hybrid glycophorin genes encoding a number of different glycophorin variant phenotypes which bear low prevalence antigens in the MNS blood group system. GP.Mur is the main glycophorin variant phenotype which causes hemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR) and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) in East and Southeast Asians. Read More

Transfusion 2019 Mar 25. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM), Saint Denis, France.

Background: Among labile blood products, platelet concentrates (PCs) are the leading cause of hypersensitivity transfusion reactions (HTRs). These reactions often lead to interruption of PC transfusion and can result in a prolonged transfusion process leading to significant morbidity and use of premedication and close monitoring for patients with a history of allergic transfusion reactions. The French hemovigilance database is one of the largest standardized databases providing information on HTRs following administration of labile blood products. Read More

Parasite Epidemiol Control 2019 May 6;5:e00101. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Recent elucidation of the genetic basis of the Vel blood group system has offered the field of blood transfusion medicine an additional consideration in determining the causes of hemolytic reactions after a patient is transfused. The identification of the SMIM1 gene to be responsible for the Vel blood group allows molecular based tools to be developed to further dissect the function of this antigen. Genetic signatures such as the homozygous 17 bp deletion and the heterozygous 17 bp deletion in combination with other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion sequences regulate the expression level of the gene. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Mar 22;12(3). Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal.

A 29-year-old man with diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain and multiple purple papular lesions, neither pruriginous nor painful, was diagnosed with HIV-1 infection and disseminated Kaposi sarcoma (KS) with gastrointestinal involvement. He was started on highly active antiretroviral therapy immediately, as well as doxorubicin. Three weeks later, the patient developed bilateral moderate pleural effusion and large-volume ascites compatible with chylothorax and chylous ascites. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Mar 21;12(3). Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Dermatology, Saint Louis University Hospital, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.

We present the case of a 62-year-old African-American woman with medical history of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia who presented to dermatology clinic for 'bug bites'. Skin examination showed resolving bullae on the shins and postinflammatory pigment changes. Histopathology showed eosinophilic spongiosis and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) was negative for IgG, IgM, IgA and C3. Read More

Transfus Med 2019 Apr 21;29(2):133-135. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

QML Pathology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

J Palliat Med 2019 Mar 21. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

1 Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Background: Red blood cell transfusion is one therapeutic option for the treatment of anemia. Current transfusion practices and factors influencing the decision to prescribe this therapy are not well understood.

Objective: To explore current transfusion practices, attitudes, and factors that influence the decision to transfuse among palliative care physicians. Read More

Neth J Med 2019 Feb;77(2):81-83

Departments of 1nternal Medicine, Amphia Hospital, Breda, the Netherlands.

Post-transfusion purpura (PTP) is a rare, but severe transfusion reaction in which both donor and autologous platelets are sequestered due to immunization against HPA-1a antigens in HPA-1a negative recipients (HPA: human platelet antigens). We describe a patient who developed PTP during induction therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia. The pitfalls, delays in diagnosing and therapy options of this serious transfusion reaction are discussed. Read More

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2019 Mar 19. Epub 2019 Mar 19.

Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

Objectives: Aortic surgery involving hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) results in a systemic inflammatory response that may negatively influence outcome. An extracorporeal haemadsorption (HA) device (CytoSorb®) that removes inflammatory triggers may improve haemodynamic and metabolic reactions due to excessive inflammation and, ultimately, outcome.

Methods: As a single-centre experience, the data of 336 patients who had undergone aortic surgery with HCA between 2013 and 2017 were retrospectively analysed. Read More

J Pediatr 2019 Mar 15. Epub 2019 Mar 15.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. Electronic address:

Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of a Food and Drug Administration-approved pathogen-reduced platelet (PLT) product in children, as ongoing questions regarding their use in this population remain.

Study Design: We report findings from a quality assurance review of PLT utilization, associated red blood cell transfusion trends, and short-term safety of conventional vs pathogen-reduced PLTs over a 21-month period while transitioning from conventional to pathogen-reduced PLTs at a large, tertiary care hospital. We assessed utilization in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients, infants 0-1 year not in the NICU, and children age 1-18 years (PED). Read More