Methylene blue photochemical treatment as a reliable SARS-CoV-2 plasma virus inactivation method for blood safety and convalescent plasma therapy for the COVID-19 outbreak

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Improving blood safety and availability: a collective mindfulness perspective in the supply chain

PurposeMaintaining a safe and available supply of blood requires a mindfully coordinated supply chain (SC) and is fundamental to the effective operation of health systems across the world. This study investigates how blood supply chain (BSC) actors demonstrate collective mindfulness (CM) principles in their operations and how these demonstrations lead to improvements in blood safety and availability (BSA) in different operational contexts.Design/methodology/approachSix case studies drawn from two contrasting BSCs, the UK and Indonesia, which differ in structure and regulation are investigated in this research. Qualitative data are collected and analysed using template analysis.FindingsThe cases reveal how the CM principles are demonstrated in the supply chain context in a range of operational conditions and their impact on BSA. The BSC actors in the more centralised and tightly regulated cases display more behaviours consistent with more of the CM principles over a greater range of operational conditions compared to those in the more decentralised and loosely regulated cases. As such, more improvements in BSA are found in the former compared to the latter cases.Originality/valueThis paper is considered the first to investigate the demonstration of CM principles at the SC as opposed to the single organisational level. It proposes an alternative approach to understanding and evaluating reliability performance using behavioural rather than statistical principles.

Assessment of hepatitis B surface antigen negative blood units for HBV DNA among replacement blood donors in a hospital based blood bank in Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection is one of the greatest threats to blood safety all over the world. The laboratory algorithm based on only the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) leaves a gap for infected HBsAg negative donors to donate blood during the “window period” (WP) and late stages of infection. Objective: To estimate the frequency of the presence of HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in HBsAg negative blood units screened using two different assays for HBsAg in a high endemic region. Methods: Frozen serum aliquot of 100 replacement blood donors who donated blood units that were HBsAg negative were retrieved and tested for HBV DNA. Sample positive for HBV DNA was sequenced by Sanger’s method, genotyped and the viral load was determined. Results: One sample (1%) was positive for HBV DNA. The HBV viral load of the sample was 768,000 IU/ml. The partial S-gene of the Hepatitis B virus isolated was genotype E using the NCBI viral genotyping tool. Conclusions: There is still a risk of HBV infected blood unit escaping detection when donor testing is limited to HBsAg screening. The use of NAT which can substantially reduce HBV infected blood donors from the donor pool should be considered. Keywords: Hepatitis B surface Antigen; Hepatitis B Virus; DNA; blood donors; blood safety.

Transfusion-associated graftversus- host disease: A brief comment on blood safety

Dear Editor, A recent paper from Dr Elliot published in Transfusion, entitled ‘Missed irradiation of cellular blood components from vulnerable patients: Insight from 10 years of SHOT data’ updates on Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease and blood safety [...].

Hepatitis B Vaccine Uptake among Voluntary Blood Donors in Jos: Implication on Blood Safety

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a transfusion-transmissible pathogen that poses a significant threat to blood safety. The virus' burden is high in the general population and among blood donors in Sub-Saharan Africa, leading to more donor rejection; blood discards, and increased risk of contamination of the blood supply. Hepatitis B Virus is vaccine-preventable; increased burden of infection may suggest a gap in vaccination. The study aimed to assess the level of hepatitis B virus vaccine uptake and identify factors affecting uptake of the vaccine among voluntary non remunerated blood donors (VNRBD) in Jos, Nigeria. A survey was conducted at the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Jos, among consenting VNRBD aged between 18 and 65 years from October to December 2020 using a structured questionnaire to collect information on vaccination status, socio-demographics and others. Of the 120 VNRBD interviewed, 36.7% received one or more doses of the HBV vaccine, while the majority (63.3%) were unvaccinated. Among the unvaccinated donors, 57.9% were unaware that HBV has a vaccine, 21.1% did not know where to get the vaccine, 7.9% had no time to get vaccinated; 3.9 % believed that there was no need to get vaccinated because they tested negative for the virus, while 9.2% gave no reason. Our study found a low uptake of HBV vaccine among VNRBD in our environment. We advocate for increased awareness and strong legislation to ensure universal access to the vaccine by Nigerians.

Current Situation of Transfusion-Transmitted Malaria in China

Although China is moving toward the eradication of malaria and no indigenous malaria has been reported in most Chinese provinces for several years, recent evaluations have revealed that imported cases remain a major challenge to eliminating malaria, with the number of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) cases increasing over time. Here, we review several TTM case reports published after the implementation of the National Malaria Elimination Program in 2010. A total of 12 TTM cases were reported in China between 2013 and 2018. All recipients and donors were diagnosed using rapid diagnosis test and peripheral blood smears. Plasmodium species in donors with low-density parasites were identified using PCR. Nine (75.0%) were identified as Plasmodium falciparum, two (16.7%) were identified as Plasmodium vivax, and one (8.3%) was identified as Plasmodium ovale. All were imported from malaria-endemic areas. New action plans designed to meet the challenges of TTM are necessary to ensure the elimination of malaria in China. Paying more attention to the frequency of TTM could help to enhance blood safety in China.

Gambaran Hasil Pemeriksaan HIV pada Darah Donor

HIV cases in Jepara District in recent years have demanded the handling of several aspects simultaneously including the Blood Transfusion Unit (BTU). HIV can be transmitted through blood transfusion or other blood products. BTU of PMI Jepara Regency carries out recruitment of voluntary donor from Jepara society. The HIV examination as part of an IMLTD screening test is done for safety of donor blood. The HIV examination in all donor blood uses rapid and elisa method. Examination results are stated as reactive and non reactive. Research objective to find out the description of HIV examination results in donor blood at the BTU of PMI Kabupaten Jepara in 2019. Research method the research type was descriptive using records of donor data at BTU of PMI Kabupaten Jepara in 2019. The examination results of reactive HIV in 12 donor blood (0,08%). non-reactive blood donor of HIV in age groups 18 years, 18-24, 25-44, 45-59, and ≥ 60 years respectively 9,55%, 22,39%, 51,75%, 16,01% and 0,21%. Reactive HIV in age groups 18-24, 25-44, and 45-59 years were 0,034%, 0,034%, and 0,13%. Non-reactive HIV in men 68,22% and in women 31,70%. Reactive HIV in men 0,07%, and women 0,01%. Non-reactive HIV in voluntary donor blood was 99,779% and substitute donor was 0,127%. HIV of reactive voluntary donor blood was 0,074%, and substitute donor was 0,007%. HIV filter test is indispensable for blood safety because the age, gender and blood type of donors have the potential for reactive HIV.