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Liver Int 2021 May 7. Epub 2021 May 7.

Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 27, 72074, Tübingen, Germany.

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the main causes of acute hepatitis and the de facto global burden is underestimated. HEV-related clinical complications are often undetected and are not considered in the differential diagnosis. Convincing findings from studies suggest that HEV is clinically relevant not only in developing countries but also in industrialized countries. Read More

Transfus Med Rev 2021 Apr 2. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Despite advances in transfusion safety, concerns with safety of platelet transfusions remain including platelet-related sepsis and higher reaction rates observed among patients receiving apheresis platelets (APLTs). National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Hemovigilance Module (HM) data were analyzed to quantify the burden and severity of adverse reactions occurring from APLTs and whole blood-derived platelets (WBD-PLTs). Facilities participating in NHSN HM during 2010-2018 were included. Read More

Vox Sang 2021 Apr 29. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Epidemiology & Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Background And Objectives: Access to large pools of healthy adult donors advantageously positions blood component providers to undertake anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies. While numerous seroprevalence reports have been published by blood operators during the COVID-19 pandemic, details on the assay used has not been well documented. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the diversity of assays being used by blood operators and assess how this may affect seroprevalence estimates. Read More

Transfusion 2021 Apr 26. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Department of Donor Medicine Research, Laboratory of Blood-borne Infections, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: In the Netherlands, blood donor screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) consists of HBsAg screening since the 1970s, HBV DNA minipool testing (MP-NAT) since 2008, and anti-HBc screening since 2011. Anti-HBc reactivity causes deferral only if anti-HBs titers are <200 IU/mL, or when anti-HBc was acquired during follow-up.

Study Design And Methods: Over 5. Read More

Transfusion 2021 Apr 20. Epub 2021 Apr 20.

Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Background: Despite current blood safety measures, transfusion recipients can experience transfusion-related adverse reactions. Monitoring these reactions can aid in understanding the effectiveness of current transfusion safety measures. Data from the National Healthcare Safety Network Hemovigilance Module were used to quantify adverse reaction risk. Read More

Indian J Hematol Blood Transfus 2021 Apr 16:1-8. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102 China.

Throughout the world, there has been growing concern over the risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission via blood transfusion. The present study screened blood donor samples for anti-HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The prevalence of HEV infection was assessed on a total of 1,003 archived serum samples obtained from the National Blood Centre, Malaysia. Read More

PLoS One 2021 13;16(4):e0249069. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), continues to remain a global challenge. There is emerging evidence of SARS-CoV-2 virus found in the blood of patients from China and some developed countries. However, there is inadequate data reported in Ghana and other parts of Africa, where blood transfusion service heavily relies on voluntary and replacement blood donors. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021 Mar;118(11)

Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305;

CD47 is an antiphagocytic "don't eat me" signal that inhibits programmed cell removal of self. As red blood cells (RBCs) age they lose CD47 expression and become susceptible to programmed cell removal by macrophages. CD47 mice infected with , which exhibits an age-based preference for young RBCs, were previously demonstrated to be highly resistant to malaria infection. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021 17;11:639801. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Silver Spring, MD, United States.

Leishmaniasis includes a spectrum of diseases ranging from debilitating cutaneous to fatal visceral infections. This disease is caused by the parasitic protozoa of the genus that is transmitted by infected sandflies. Over 1 billion people are at risk of leishmaniasis with an annual incidence of over 2 million cases throughout tropical and subtropical regions in close to 100 countries. Read More

Front Oncol 2021 11;11:583714. Epub 2021 Mar 11.

Department of Infectious Diseases and Medical Immunology, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has high mortality. Biomarkers related to HCC, such as alpha-fetoprotein, and imaging technology, such as ultrasound and computed tomography, have been used to screen and monitor HCC, but HCC is still difficult to diagnose effectively in the early stage due to the low sensitivity of the above mentioned traditional methods. There is an urgent need for noninvasive biomarkers to facilitate the screening and early diagnosis of HCC. Read More

Int J Pharm 2021 May 22;600:120511. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Chemical Technology, Deemed University, Elite Status and Centre of Excellence (Maharashtra), N.P. Marg, Matunga East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400019, India. Electronic address:

We present a nanosuspension of betulin, a BCS class II anticancer drug, particularly effective against resistant breast cancer. As anticancer efficacy of betulin is hampered by poor aqueous solubility, a nanosuspension with surface area was considered to enhance efficacy. An innovative approach wherein the betulin nanosuspension is generated instantaneously in situ, by adding a betulin preconcentrate (BeTPC) comprising drug and excipients, to aqueous medium, is successfully demonstrated. Read More

Transfusion 2021 Apr 15;61(4):1014-1022. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

Wing-Kwai and Alice Lee-Tsing Chung Transfusion Service, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Despite the significantly reduced infectious disease risk through robust and sensitive laboratory assays, comprehensive donor screening and good manufacturing practices, new and emerging infectious agents and bacterial contamination continue to pose a threat to the blood supply. Pathogen Reduction (PR) technology is an option to mitigate the risk of platelet transfusion transmitted infections. Here we describe our structure and strategies to implement PR technology. Read More

Viruses 2021 02 11;13(2). Epub 2021 Feb 11.

Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO), "Maggiore della Carità" University Hospital, Via P. Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy.

A causal link between viral infections and autoimmunity has been studied for a long time and the role of some viruses in the induction or exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in genetically predisposed patients has been proved. The strength of the association between different viral agents and SLE is variable. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), parvovirus B19 (B19V), and human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are involved in SLE pathogenesis, whereas other viruses such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) probably play a less prominent role. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Mar 4;14(3). Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Department of Internal Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.

Medical tourism is the pursuit of more affordable surgeries; however, this comes at the risk of suboptimal standards and potential for life-threatening complications. In this case, we describe the diagnostic challenge of cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia in a 40-year-old woman who experienced wound dehiscence and subsequent blood transfusion-transmitted CMV as complications of liposuction in the Dominican Republic. We explore the role of histopathology in the diagnosis of disseminated CMV, discuss the underlying aetiology of CMV pneumonia in this patient and weigh the risks and benefits of initiating antiviral therapy in an immunocompetent patient with CMV disease. Read More

Nat Commun 2021 03 2;12(1):1383. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.

In this study, we investigate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in the cities of Wuhan, Shenzhen, and Shijiazhuang in China. From January to April 2020, 38,144 healthy blood donors in the three cities were tested for total antibody against SARS-CoV-2 followed by pseudotype SARS-CoV-2 neutralization tests, IgG, and IgM antibody testing. Finally, a total of 398 donors were confirmed positive. Read More

Exp Clin Transplant 2021 Feb 23. Epub 2021 Feb 23.

From the Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Solid-organ transplant is the treatment of choice for all patients with end-stage diseases. Long-term graft function and survival rely on suitable immunosup-pressive treatment to prevent rejection. Besides this desired effect, a reduced immunocompetence in the transplant recipient increases the risk of developing infectious diseases and malignancies. Read More

PLoS One 2021 19;16(2):e0246704. Epub 2021 Feb 19.

Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenerology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.

Introduction: Estimation of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transfusion risk in blood donors is essential for monitoring the safety of the blood supply and the impact of new screening tests. Due to improvements in donor selection and continuing progress in screening assays, residual risk of virus transmission has significantly decreased over the past years. It is not practical and sometimes even not possible to measure residual risk in blood donors directly and mathematical models are used. Read More

Transfusion 2021 Feb 8. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Vitalant Medical Affairs, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.

Background: COVID-19 safety measures and possibly SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing may alter blood donor demography, which has the potential to alter blood safety. We characterized pre-pandemic and pandemic rates of donor infectious disease marker (IDM) reactivity which reflect the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) undetectable by current testing.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of allogeneic blood donor presentations and successful donations in a large national US blood collector identifies changes in self-reported behavioral risk factors and IDM reactivity. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021 Feb 1. Epub 2021 Feb 1.

2Department of Infectious Diseases/Virology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.

There are an estimated 2,000 children with β-thalassemia in the province Baluchistan of Pakistan. These children are at high risk of acquiring transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) due to their need of regular blood transfusions for survival. Therefore, we investigated the frequencies of TTIs among these multi-transfused patients in a region where the WHO guidelines for blood safety are not always followed. Read More

Vox Sang 2021 Jan 25. Epub 2021 Jan 25.

Department of Pathology, Transfusion Medicine Division, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Background And Objectives: Filariae are parasitic worms that include the pathogens Loa loa, Onchocerca volvulus, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia spp. and Mansonella spp. which are endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, Asia-Pacific, South and Central America. Read More

Transfus Med 2021 Apr 21;31(2):121-128. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Divisão de Pesquisa & Medicina Transfusional, Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background: The increasing incidence of syphilis worldwide has called attention to the risk of transmission by transfusion.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of active syphilis in blood donors and characterise the serological profile of syphilis-positive donors.

Methods: Samples positive for Treponema pallidum using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) during blood donor screening from 2017 to 2018 were tested by the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) non-treponemal test and for anti-T. Read More

Infect Dis Rep 2021 Jan 15;13(1):89-95. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh.

Transfusion transmitted infections have remained a major deterrent to public health, particularly among the patients with transfusion-dependent Beta thalassemia in developing countries. Although proper donor selection through adoption of WHO-advised infection panel has lowered the rate of infections, the multi-transfused patients are not free of risk. In this study, we screened 148 transfusion-dependent Beta thalassemia patients to determine the frequency of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) using the ELISA method. Read More

J Hepatol 2021 Jan 13. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: Occult HBV infection (OBI) is associated with transfusion-transmitted HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma. Studies on OBI genesis have concentrated on mutations in the S region and the regulatory elements. Herein, we aimed to determine the role of mutations in the core region on OBIs. Read More

Infect Drug Resist 2020 21;13:4569-4576. Epub 2020 Dec 21.

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.

Background: The prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) among blood donors varies across different geographical populations. Establishing the sero-prevalence of the disease among blood donors is important to informing the direction of preventive and control strategies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections among voluntarily blood donors at Dessie Blood Bank, North East Ethiopia. Read More

Vox Sang 2020 Dec 20. Epub 2020 Dec 20.

Canadian Blood Service, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Background And Objectives: Red blood cell concentrates (RBCC) are susceptible to bacterial contamination despite cold storage. A reliable evaluation of strategies to minimize the risk of RBCC-associated bacterial transmission requires the use of suitable reference bacteria. Already existing Transfusion-Relevant Bacteria Reference Strains (TRBRS) for platelet concentrates fail to grow in RBCC. Read More

Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2020 18;62:e100. Epub 2020 Dec 18.

Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Moléstias Infecciosas e Parasitárias, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Malaria is an infectious vector-borne disease with other important routes of transmission, such as blood transfusion and organ/tissue transplantation, due to asymptomatic reservoirs of Plasmodium presenting with low parasitemia. Reports of transfusion-transmitted malaria have shown that in immunosuppressed recipients, infections can be fatal if they are not diagnosed and timely treated. All Plasmodium species can survive on blood components at temperatures from 2 to 6 °C for some days or even weeks. Read More

Front Med (Lausanne) 2020 24;7:617373. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, United States.

The introduction of pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) to inactivate bacteria, viruses and parasites in donated blood components stored for transfusion adds to the existing arsenal toward reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases (TTIDs). We have previously demonstrated that 405 nm violet-blue light effectively reduces blood-borne bacteria in stored human plasma and platelet concentrates. In this report, we investigated the microbicidal effect of 405 nm light on one important bloodborne parasite that causes Chagas disease in humans. Read More

Transfusion 2021 Jan 8;61(1):167-177. Epub 2020 Dec 8.

Coagulation and Blood Research Program, U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA.

Background: Platelets pose the greatest transfusion-transmitted infectious risk among blood products. Refrigeration of platelets can mitigate bacterial contamination and extend platelet shelf life. Implementation of pathogen reduction technologies (PRTs) at blood banks has become increasingly popular to protect against emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. Read More

Can J Respir Ther 2020 26;56:1-9. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Birjand, Iran.

Background: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) include a broad range of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders and are characterized by diffuse parenchymal lung abnormalities leading to irreversible fibrosis. ILDs are correlated with the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), which generally also results in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Interferons, secreted in larger amounts during viral infections, are an important possible risk factor contributing to this outcome. Read More