scholarly journals Seroprevalence of IgG Anti-SARS-CoV-2 among Voluntary Blood Donors in Dubai: Demographic and Risk Factors

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
May Raouf ◽  
Mariem Rabeh ◽  
Suminder Kaur ◽  
Ranjita Sharma ◽  
Nimmy Thottumkal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Collection Site ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Additional Risk ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Site Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Time

<b><i>Background and Objectives:</i></b> During the pandemic of CO­VID-19, additional blood donor eligibility criteria have been added to ensure safety of donors and donations. The aim of this study is to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in eligible donors and to study the demography and lifestyle of asymptomatic cases. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> One thousand four hundred eighteen eligible donors were enrolled in this study in the Dubai Blood Donation Center from August to December 2020. Blood samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibody. Donors’ demographic characteristics and lifestyle were studied further. The χ<sup>2</sup> test was used to analyze the data association. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 88.4% of the studied group were males, 85% were from age 17 to 45 years, and 53% were regular donors. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody was 13.5% and significantly related to gender, frequency of donation, collection site, type of donation, and more frequent when donors shared transport and accommodation. Blood group and age had no significant association. 5.5% were found to have cough/fever or a history of contact with positive COVID-19 patients. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody was 13.5% among eligible blood donors, and hence the current eligibility criteria allow asymptomatic COVID-19 patients to donate blood. The seroprevalence was seen more in first time donors, suggesting that regular blood donors are safer. Additional risk factors related to lifestyle can be identified to ensure safety of transfusion during COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Analyzing the Causes of Blood Donor Deferrals and Characteristics of Deffered Individuals in Kurdistan Province, Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 114-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hosein Hatami ◽  
Mahtab Maghsoodlu ◽  
Pejman Salehifar ◽  
Mohammad Saied Karimian ◽  
Shirin Ferdowsi
Keyword(s):  
Blood Donation ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Donor Selection ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Standard Operating ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Time ◽  
Donor Deferral

Introduction: Donor selection prior to blood donation is one of the most important steps in ensuring the safety of blood products. This study aims to evaluate donor deferral rates, causes of deferral, and characteristics of deferred in Kurdistan province, west of Iran. Method: This is a cross-sectional study carried out in the Kurdistan blood transfusion organization, from 2010 to 2015. All donors were screened before donation by detailed interview and physical examination. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) were used for donor selection and deferral. Results: The deferral rate was 14.55%. The top seven deferral reasons were the use of certain medications (15.6%), abnormal blood pressure (9.03%), polycythemia (8.5%), risky behaviors (6.3%), previous donation in last 3 months (5.9%), history of repeatedly reactive test (5.21%) and anemia (4.85%). The overall proportion of deferrals was higher among those less than 35 years old (P < 0.001), female (P < 0.001), first-time donors (P < 0.001), single (P < 0.001) and less than 12 years schooling (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed a different pattern of donor deferrals in compared to other studies. The main reason for deferral was being on medication that may be due to lack of sufficient blood donation eligibility criteria in Kurdistan province. Therefore, public education about the importance of blood donation and donor’s conditions can be effective in reducing the number of deferral.

Stress, Cortisol and Suicide Risk

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl Brian O'Connor
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Stressful Events ◽  
Additional Risk ◽  
Global Health Issue ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hpa Axis Activity ◽  
The Impact

Suicide is a global health issue accounting for at least 800,000 deaths per annum. Numerous models have been proposed that differ in their emphasis on the role of psychological, social, psychiatric and neurobiological factors in explaining suicide risk. Central to many models is a stress-diathesis component which states that suicidal behavior is the result of an interaction between acutely stressful events and a susceptibility to suicidal behavior (a diathesis). This article presents an overview of studies that demonstrate that stress and dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, as measured by cortisol levels, are important additional risk factors for suicide. Evidence for other putative stress-related suicide risk factors including childhood trauma, impaired executive function, impulsivity and disrupted sleep are considered together with the impact of family history of suicide, perinatal and epigenetic influences on suicide risk.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Haemoplasma Infections in Stray Cats in Northern Italy

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Spada ◽  
Daniela Proverbio ◽  
Paola Galluzzo ◽  
Alessandra Della Pepa ◽  
Giada Bagnagatti De Giorgi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Stray Cats ◽  
Stray Cat

This study investigated the prevalence of feline haemoplasma infections in a number of stray cat colonies in Milan, Northern Italy. Blood samples from 260 stray cats were evaluated, with conventional PCR, for the presence of DNA associated with Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf) and “Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum” (CMhm). Odd ratios (OR) were calculated to identify risk factors for haemoplasma infections. PCR was positive in 86 out of 260 subjects (33.1%), with a prevalence of 10.8% (28/260 cats) for Mhf and 22.3% (58/260 cats) for CMhm. No coinfections were registered. There were significant associations between infections and season of sampling, that is, a negative association between winter sampling and a haemoplasma positive status (OR=0.29, P=0.001), or CMhm positive status (OR=0.29, P=0.01). Haemoplasma infections are common in stray cats in Milan. Thus, domestic cats with outdoor access should be routinely monitored and treated for ectoparasites to minimize risks of disease acquisition. Moreover, as these infections are transmitted via blood, feline blood donors from this area should be screened by PCR and preferably be drawn from a population of indoor cats regularly treated for fleas.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular family history increases the risk of disease recurrence after a first myocardial infarction

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Wahrenberg ◽  
P Magnusson ◽  
R Kuja-Halkola ◽  
H Habel ◽  
K Hambraeus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Family History ◽  
Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Cardiovascular Death ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Time ◽  
Early Family

Abstract Background Despite recent advances in secondary prevention, recurrent cardiovascular events are common after a myocardial infarction (MI). It has been reported that genetic risk scores may predict the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. Although patient-derived family history is a composite of both genetic and environmental heritability of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), it is an easily accessible information compared to genetically based risk models but the association with recurrent events is unknown. Purpose To evaluate whether a register-verified family history of ASCVD is associated with recurrent cardiovascular events (rASCVD) in patients after a first-time MI. Methods We included patients with a first-time MI during 2005 – 2014, registered in the SWEDEHEART SEPHIA registry and without prior ASCVD. Follow-up was available until Dec 31st, 2018. Data on relatives, diagnoses and prescriptions were extracted from national registers. A family history of ASCVD was defined as a register-verified hospitalisation due to MI, angina with coronary revascularization procedures, stroke or cardiovascular death in any parent. Early history was defined as such an event before the age of 55 years in fathers and 65 years in mothers. The association between family history and a composite outcome including recurrent MI, angina requiring acute revascularization, ischaemic stroke and cardiovascular death during follow-up was studied with Cox proportional hazard regression with time from SEPHIA registry completion as underlying time-scale, adjusted for age with splines, gender and year of SEPHIA registry. Regression models were then further adjusted for hypertension, diabetes, smoking and for a subset of patients, LDL-cholesterol (LDL_C) at time of first event. Results Of 25,615 patients, 2.5% and 32.1% had an early and ever-occurring family history of ASCVD, respectively. Patients with early family history were significantly younger than other patients and were more likely to be current smokers and have a higher LDL-C (Median (IQR) 3.5 (1.1) vs 3.3 (1.1) mmol/L). In total, 3,971 (15.5%) patients experienced the outcome. Early family history of ASCVD was significantly associated with rASCVD (Hazard ratio (HR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23–1.87), and the effect was sustained when adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.20–1.83) and LDL-C (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04–1.74). Ever-occurring family history was weakly associated with ASCVD (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02 – 1.17) and the association remained unchanged with adjustments for risk factors. Conclusions Early family history of cardiovascular disease is a potent risk factor for recurrent cardiovascular events in a secondary prevention setting, independent of traditional risk factors including LDL-C. This is a novel finding and these patients may potentially benefit from intensified secondary preventive measures after a first-time MI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): This work was funded by grants from The Swedish Heart and Lung Association

scholarly journals Estimation of Serum Ferritin Levels in Blood Donors and its Association with Frequency of Blood Donation and Blood Indices

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrita S Kumar ◽  
A Geetha ◽  
Jim Joe ◽  
Arun Mathew Chacko
Keyword(s):  
Serum Ferritin ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Iron Status ◽  
Previous History ◽  
P Value ◽  
Blood Indices ◽  
Iron Stores ◽  
Group I ◽  
History Of

Introduction: Blood donation is one of the most significant contributions that a person can make towards the society. A donor generally donates maximum 450 mL of blood at the time of donation. If 450 mL of blood is taken in a donation, men lose 242±17 mg and women lose 217±11 mg of iron. Hence, adequate iron stores are very important in maintenance of the donor’s health. Aim: To assess the influence of frequency of blood donation on iron levels of blood donors by estimating Haemoglobin (Hb) and other blood indices which reflect iron status of blood and serum ferritin which reflects body iron stores. Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional analytical study, conducted on 150 blood donors, 18-40 years of age presenting to the Blood Bank in Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala, India, between December 2016 to December 2017. Total of 150 donors were divided into four groups according to the number of donations per year. Group I were the first time donors with no previous history of blood donation, Group II- included those with history of donation once in the previous year, Group III- those donors with history of donation twice in the previous year and Group IV- those having history of donation thrice in the previous year. Six ml of whole blood collected from each donor, two ml was used for estimating Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hb (MCH), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) in haematology analyser. Serum separated from remaining four mL of blood underwent ferritin analysis by Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) method. Iron stores were considered normal at serum ferritin value from 23.9-336ng/mL in males and 11-307ng/mL in females. Statistical analysis was performed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test and Pearson correlation test were used to find association between various parameters and collected data. The p-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: There was no significant correlation between serum ferritin level and frequency of blood donation. MCH, MCHC showed significant association (p-value 0.039 and 0.007, respectively) with frequency of blood donation. Low positive correlation was seen between Hb and PCV with serum ferritin levels (r=0.381, p-value <0.001 and r=0.354, p-value <0.001, respectively). Conclusion: There is no significant association between frequency of blood donation and serum ferritin levels.

scholarly journals Blood Transfusion Service and Hospital Blood Rotation: The Implications on Transfusion Safety in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
O D Damulak ◽  
E D Jatau ◽  
E Ekam ◽  
E Rumji ◽  
R Yakubu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Diagnostic Test ◽  
Rapid Diagnostic Test ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Blood Transfusion Service ◽  
First Time

Blood donation is not readily an altruistic sacrifice in sub-Saharan Africa where microbial infections, maternal haemorrhages, malaria and other tropical diseases that frequently require blood transfusion are daily diagnoses. Blood transfusion safety is hindered by the combined prevailing high rate of Transfusion-Transmissible Infections (TTIs) and poor screening techniques. This study determined the rate of Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) positive reactions to transfusion-transmissible infections in rapid diagnostic test negative family replacement blood units, compared to the first time voluntarily donated blood. We studied records of blood units collected in a tertiary hospital from donors who scaled pre-donation Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) screening for the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses and syphilis and rescreened by ELISA techniques at the National Blood Transfusion Service Centre in Jos, along with units from first-time voluntary blood donors. A total of 19562 blood units; 5945 (30.39%) rapid diagnostic tests negative from a linkage hospital and 13617 (69.61%) from first time voluntary donors were screened by ELISA methods for HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis. The overall TTIs detected by ELISA was 16.08%, significantly lower among pre-donation rapid screened family replacement blood donors [495(8.32%)] compared to 2651 (19.47%) among first-time voluntary donors; P=0.0001. Fifty-seven (0.96%) HIV, 166 (2.79%) HBV, 137 (2.31%) HCV and 137 (2.31%) syphilis were still detected respectively by ELISA in the pre-screened negative family replacement blood units. The outcome of ELISA screenings of blood collected from first-time volunteer donors were; 143 (1.05%) HIV, 1,486 (10.91%) HBV, 683 (5.02%) HCV, and 339 (2.49%) syphilis. Blood for transfusion should be screened negative at least with ELISA.

Abstract P152: Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adolescent Blood Donors

Circulation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Keeton ◽  
Stephen J Eason ◽  
Merlyn Sayers ◽  
Colby Ayers ◽  
Maria O Gore
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk Factor ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Increased Risk

Objective: Cardiometabolic risk factors have been extensively studied in adults, but to a lesser extent in adolescents. We assessed potential cardiometabolic risk factors in a large cohort of adolescent blood donors. Methods: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ), blood pressure (BP), and total cholesterol were measured in 10,756 blood donors aged 16-19 years at school blood drives conducted by Carter BloodCare, a large North Texas blood center. Borderline values were defined as HbA 1c 5.7-6.4%, BP (systolic/diastolic) 120-139/80-89 mm Hg, and total cholesterol 170-199 mg/dL. Elevated values were defined as HbA 1c ≥6.5%, BP ≥140/90, and total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dL. Subjects were classified into one of three subcohorts: (A) no borderline or elevated values (“healthy” subcohort); (B) one borderline value; (C) either two borderline values or one elevated value. The subcohorts were further stratified as shown in the Table. Results: Of the 10,756 blood donors, 35.2% had one borderline cardiometabolic risk factor, and 17.9% had either two borderline or one elevated risk factor. There were more girls than boys in the “healthy” subcohort (p<0.0001). Girls had a higher prevalence of borderline or elevated total cholesterol (p<0.0001), whereas boys had higher prevalence of borderline or elevated BP (p<0.0001). Other differences between subcohorts are summarized in the Table. Conclusion: More than half of adolescents in this study had at least one cardiometabolic risk factor that was either borderline or elevated. Blood donation programs can serve as highly efficient and cost-effective gateways for cardiometabolic risk screening in adolescents, with potential for the development of targeted interventions aimed at promoting healthy behaviors early in life, specifically among those at increased risk.

Risk Factors and Anti-HBc Reactivity among First Time Blood Donors

Vox Sanguinis ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-210
Author(s):  
J.M. van der Linden ◽  
L.K. Ko ◽  
J. Gorgels ◽  
W. Hop ◽  
D.J. van Rehen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
First Time

Correlates of Postpartum Depression in First Time Mothers Without Previous Psychiatric Contact

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 4-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Sylvén ◽  
T.P. Thomopoulos ◽  
N. Kollia ◽  
M. Jonsson ◽  
A. Skalkidou
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Postpartum Depression ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Delivery Mode ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
First Time Mothers ◽  
History Of ◽  
First Time

AbstractBackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) is a common disorder after childbirth. The strongest known predictors are a history of depression and/or a history of PPD. However, for a significant proportion of women, PPD constitutes their first depressive episode. This study aimed to gain further insight into the risk factors for PPD in first time mothers without previous psychiatric contact.MethodsWomen delivering in Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, from May 2006 to June 2007, were asked to participate and filled out questionnaires five days and six weeks postpartum, containing inter alia the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Univariate logistic regression models, as well as a path analysis, were performed to unveil the complex interplay between the study variables.ResultsOf the 653 participating primiparas, 10.3% and 6.4% reported depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥ 12 points) five days and six weeks postpartum, respectively. In the path analysis, a positive association between anxiety proneness and depressive symptoms at five days and six weeks postpartum was identified. For depressive symptoms six weeks after delivery, additional risk factors were detected, namely depressive symptoms five days postpartum and subjective experience of problems with the baby. Caesarean section and assisted vaginal delivery were associated with fewer depressive symptoms at 6 six weeks postpartum.ConclusionsIdentification of anxiety proneness, delivery mode and problems with the baby as risk factors for self-reported depressive symptoms postpartum in this group of primiparas can be important in helping health care professionals identify women at increased risk of affective disorders in the perinatal period, and provide a base for early intervention.

scholarly journals Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection. A case-control study of blood donors in the Trent Region (UK)

1994 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 595-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. Neal ◽  
D. A. Jones ◽  
D. Killey ◽  
V. James
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
History Of ◽  
Control Study

SUMMARYThe introduction of screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) by the National Blood Transfusion Service identified donors who had acquired HCV infection. We undertook a case-control study amongst blood donors in the Trent Region to determine risks for HCV infection. A total of 74 blood donors confirmed positive for hepatitis C infection and 150 age, sex and donor venue matched controls were included in the study. Fifty-three percent of hepatitis C infected blood donors reported previous use of injected drugs compared to no controls; relative risk (RR) not estimatable (lower limit 95% CI = 20). Other risk factors were a history of: receipt of a blood transfusion or blood products RR = 3·6 (95% CI 1·5–8·3), having been a ‘health care worker’ RR = 2·8 (95% CI 1·1–7·6), tattooing RR = 3·3 (95% CI 1·2–8·7), and an association with having been born abroad RR = 3·2 (95% CI 1·1–9·5). No risk was shown for a history of multiple sexual partners, ear piercing or acupuncture. Injecting drug use explains more than 50% of hepatitis C infections in blood donors, a group who are less likely to have injected drugs than the general population.

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