Pre-transfusion testing for Ebola virus disease patients in serious communicable infectious diseases hospitals in Tokyo: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundEbola virus disease (EVD) was endemic to Africa in 2014–2016. Supportive therapies have been shown to improve the outcome of EVD, and additional supportive therapy including blood transfusion therapy and external circulation could be needed in the event of a future global outbreak. However, pre-transfusion testing policies and guidelines have not yet been established in Japan.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of blood transfusion therapy for EVD patients at three designated hospitals for serious communicable diseases in Tokyo. In each hospital, we surveyed blood transfusion therapy policy, blood transfusion protocol, presence of a specialist in the department of transfusion medicine, facility capacity for pre-transfusion compatibility testing, and types of personal protective equipment available.ResultsOne hospital had a cross-matched compatible blood transfusion policy, one had a cross-matched compatible blood transfusion policy only when the patient's ABO and RhD type is previously known, and the third had not created a policy. Two hospitals had a department of transfusion medicine. These two hospitals had a special testing unit for serious communicable diseases, while the other had a portable unit for testing. There were no major differences noted in available personal protective equipment.ConclusionPolicies and protocols differ among hospitals. The choice of blood transfusion policy and pre-transfusion testing is largely dependent on equipment and human resources. Further discussion is required to develop national guidelines for blood transfusion therapy in patients with serious communicable diseases, including countermeasures against complications and ethical issues related to the safety of patients and healthcare workers.     

Hemolytic transfusion reaction. Recent experience in a large blood bank

Data on 47 cases of hemolytic transfusion reactions are presented along with a review of the literature. Human error and limitations of current techniques of compatibility testing remain the major causative factors of hemolytic transfusion reactions.     

一种输血相容性检测室内质量控制方法的探讨简

目的 探讨一种输血相容性检测室内质量控制方案的可行性.方法 利用外购血配血标本制备输血相容性检测室内质控品,用不同厂家试剂进行标定.在日常输血相容性检测工作中利用不同批次自制质控品进行室内质控.结果 20个批次的自制室内质控品标定结果稳定,洗涤红细胞质控品3周内无明显溶血,12个月室内质控过程中没有因质控品原因导致结果失控的情况.结论 此方法原料易得、制备简单、结果稳定,适于在各医院输血科开展.     

Leukapheresis and granulocyte transfusion.

Granulocyte transfusion is becoming widely used in the treatment of infections in granulocytopenic patients. Several techniques are available for granulocyte collection. Some involve centrifugation of the whole blood and one removes granulocytes from whole blood by reversible adhesion to nylon fibers. The risks to the donor from leukapheresis do not appear to be greater than from whole blood donation. Granulocytes collected by centrifuge techniques function normally in vitro and have normal intravascular recovery and disappearance following transfusion. Granulocytes collected by filtration leukapheresis function almost normally in vitro but have a reduced intravascular recovery and abnormal kinetics as they leave the circulation. The role of leukocyte typing and compatibility testing for granulocyte transfusion is controversial. When the recipient has circulating antibody against donor leukocytes, transfused leukocytes do not circulate or migrate to sites of infection but are sequestered in the liver and spleen. Clinical studies have not defined whether patients benefit equally well clinically from transfusion of compatible or incompatible granulocytes. Initial reports of clinical trials of granulocyte transfusion were promising. However, similar patients who did not receive granulocytes were not studied. Most subsequent controlled trials showed a clear benefit from granulocyte transfusion while others did not. Differences in antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, use of laminar flow rooms, and grouping of patients make it difficult to compare these clinical trials. Some, but not all, infected granulocytopenic patients benefit from transfusion. Granulocyte transfusions improve survival of granulocytopenic patients with gram negative sepsis and prolonged bone marrow aplasia. Studies are now attempting to identify other patients who should receive granulocytes, the optimum dose and schedule of transfusions, the optimum time to begin transfusion, and the value, if any, of prophylactic transfusions.     

提高输血疗效必须首先完善输血前血液的相容性试验

血型鉴定与相容性试验直接关系到输血疗效.为避免严重的输血反应,有较多新的免疫血液学技术与方法正逐步应用于输血实验室,如凝胶试验、单核细胞单层分析试验以及血型基因分析等.在这些技术中,有些可提高检测的灵敏度和自动化水平,有些则可更为准确地预示输血后红细胞在体内存活状态.运用这些技术,可使输血的相容性明显提高.虽然在解决疑难血型问题时,并没有通用的方法,但医务工作者可通过选择不同免疫血液学技术进行组合,也可及时为患者提供合适的血液.     

Safety in transfusion practices. Preventing infectious complications.

The benefits of transfusion therapy must always be weighed against the unavoidable chance of an infectious complication. Strategies to minimize the infectious risks inherent in the use of human blood and blood components can be categorized under four general headings: donor selection, testing, appropriate use, and follow-up and reporting of complications. The application of these strategies in the context of their role in the prevention of some of the infectious complications of transfusion therapy is discussed in this article.     

An In Vivo Crossmatching ProceDure for Selected Problem Cases in Blood Banking

An in vivo crossmatch can be accomplished by measuring the change in the recipient's serum bilirubin after transfusion of 50 ml. of blood from a particular donor unit. A rise of less than 0.5 mg. per 100 ml. has in our experience been good evidence for compatibility. This proceD^ure was useful in those cases where auto-antibodies preclude in vitro compatibility testing, also for patients demonstrating irregular hemolytic reactions following transfusion but in whom no responsible antibody can be found. Over a hundred transfusions compatible by the in vivo method have been administered to such problem cases and with uniformly good results as judged by absence of clinical reactions and by increase in hematocrit.     

Plasma exchange for cold agglutinin hemolytic anemia

Two patients with advanced lymphoma, chronic cold agglutinin disease refractory to conventional therapy and severe, progressive anemia were treated with exchange plasma transfusion. Both experienced significant reduction in titers. The first patient, in whom the procedure was done manually, died with widespread lymphoma without achieving apparent clinical benefit. The second patient was exchanged using the Aminco Celltrifuge, with improvement in in vitro compatibility tests and transfusion tolerance. The technical details of continuous-flow centrifugation exchange plasma transfusion are described.     

Risk management in transfusion medicine: a hospital transfusion service perspective

The hospital transfusion service has always been at the heart of the blood component therapy chain. It has had the multiple roles of not only maintaining an inventory of a wide range of blood components, monitoring their storage conditions and ensuring compatibility when appropriate, but also being the source of expertise in transfusion medicine, and attempting to follow up any adverse consequences of transfusion. Hospital transfusion medicine has been seen essentially as a scientific and technical specialty with a minimal component of medical input. This is now changing and transfusion medicine is becoming an all embracing specialty where the hospital transfusion service still remains at the heart of transfusion medicine, but a much higher level of understanding is necessary at the clinical and consumer level.     

Improvement in transfusion safety using a specially designed transfusion wristband

Fatal haemolytic transfusion reaction due to ABO incompatibility occurs mainly as a result of clerical error. A blood sample drawn from the wrong patient and labelled as another patient's will not be detected by the blood bank unless there is a previous ABO grouping result. We report here the detection of such clerical error by the use of a specially designed transfusion wristband. The wristband has the following special features: (i) once attached, it cannot be removed except by cutting; (ii) it has a pocket containing a transfusion label; (iii) a unique transfusion barcode is printed on each transfusion label and the corresponding wristband simultaneously by computer technology; (iv) a transfusion label removed from the wristband after attachment to the patient has a characteristic tear-mark distinguishing it from one removed prior to attachment. The blood bank only accepted those specimens bearing the tear-marked transfusion labels. All blood units for this patient were labelled with this unique transfusion code together with the patient's details. The nurses counter-checked the transfusion code on the blood units against the transfusion code on the patient's transfusion wristband prior to transfusion. If the blood sample for compatibility testing was drawn from the 'wrong' patient, the intended patient either did not carry a wristband or the transfusion codes did not match at all. Pretransfusion compatibility tests were performed on 2189 patient samples using this procedure. It was well accepted by both ward and blood bank staff. Two potential mismatched transfusions were avoided. These two clerical errors would not have been detected because neither patient had previous ABO grouping results.     

Automatic special case consultations in transfusion medicine

In the past, consultations in immunohematology were usually delivered only when there was a blood or component shortage, or when the time required for compatibility testing was prolonged due to the presence of a difficult recipient antibody problem. More recently, transfusion medicine physicians have increased their role as clinical consultants concerned about the appropriate indications for blood transfusion. This communication presents a way to begin a sound program of clinical transfusion medicine consultation. The program can fit with community-wide teaching efforts, community or hospital transfusion audits, and specific physician education programs. Automatic or unsolicited consultations appear to have been both accepted well and beneficial in large hospitals and in communities where they have been provided for more than 7 years.     

The computer crossmatch: a safe alternative to the serological crossmatch

The crossmatch has evolved from including a wide range of techniques through a test purely to eliminate ABO incompatibility (immediate spin) to computer crossmatching in which no serological testing is carried out and validation ensures the correct ABO/RhD type blood is issued. The crossmatch was always considered to be the most important feature of the compatibility test and in particular the antiglobulin phase; however, there are potential risks associated with serological and computer crossmatching including technical and procedural errors. The use of immediate spin and computer crossmatch change the emphasis for safety of the compatibility test from the crossmatch to the antibody screen. UK guidelines have now been published describing the features necessary for the introduction of computer crossmatching. Computer crossmatching is used by many institutions in various countries. It is considered safe practice and brings benefits to the laboratory and the patient. Compatibility testing is only one element of the blood transfusion procedure; the others are equally as important and include correct patient identification at the time of collection of the blood sample and at the administration of the blood transfusion.     

输血相容性检测室内质控品的临床应用评价

目的评价解放军总医院输血科自主研发的输血相容性检测室内质控品临床应用效果。方法回顾性分析2009年10月～2011年10月全国31家输血相容性检测实验室应用该室内质控品对ABO及RhD血型鉴定试验、不规则抗体筛查试验和交叉配血试验开展室内质量控制工作情况,分析该室内质控品检测结果的重复性和稳定性;根据各实验室应用的试验方法、试剂、耗材及试验结果,分析室内质控品在各种检测条件下的实际应用效果。结果 31家输血相容性检测实验室共完成室内质控试验14 271次,包括ABO及RhD血型鉴定试验4 552次、不规则抗体筛查试验4 539次及交叉配血试验5 180次,失控7次。ABO及RhD血型鉴定试验A、B、D抗原检测结果变异系数(CV)为0;ABO血型鉴定反定型试验、不规则抗体筛查试验及交叉配血试验抗原、抗体反应阴性结果的CV为0,抗原、抗体反应阳性结果均为CV<10.0%;质控品不同保存时间试验结果比较差异甚小(P>0.05)。结论研发的自制室内质控品在重复性、稳定性方面可以满足输血相容性检测室内质量控制的基本要求。     

Platelet function testing to assess effectiveness of platelet transfusion therapy.

BACKGROUND: Posttransfusion corrected count increments (CCI) following administration of platelets is the standard method for assessing effectiveness of platelet transfusion therapy. However, improvement in platelet count following transfusion may not necessarily indicate improvement in platelet function or restoration of primary hemostatic capacity. To address this possibility, we investigated the effectiveness of platelet transfusion based on results of the Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA-100) and post-transfusion CCI. INVESTIGATION DESIGN AND METHODS: Platelet transfusion requests with different indications received at the blood bank were evaluated for inclusion in the investigation. Pre-transfusion, the following laboratory tests were performed: (1) PFA-100 assays (blood collected in 3.2% buffered sodium citrate) performed with CEPI and CADP test cartridges; (2) complete blood count (in EDTA) and platelet count; and (3) routine coagulation profile including PT, PTT, fibrinogen and D-Dimer. Only patients with normal coagulation profiles were included. The same set of tests were performed on a new blood sample collected 10-60 min post-transfusion. Chart review and clinical evaluation for response to platelet therapy were performed on each occasion of transfusion. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients, five of whom were transfused on more than one occasion were evaluated. Thirty-five transfusion incidents were included. Posttransfusion outcomes were divided into two groups--those that resulted in shortening (>40 s) or normalization of the closure time (Group A) and those that had no change or greater prolongation of the closure time (Group B) when compared to the pre-transfusion value. Seventeen and eighteen transfusion episodes were categorized as Groups A and B, respectively. In Group A with improved PFA testing, nine patients had bleeding as indication for transfusion and six of these had concomitant improvement in their clinical picture as confirmed by control of hemorrhage. In contrast in Group B with no improvement in PFA testing, seven patients had bleeding as indication for transfusion and none showed cessation of hemorrhagic symptoms. These findings were statistically significant (p=0.0114). Similar evaluation using the post-transfusion CCI showed no correlation to bleeding symptoms in these patients (p-=0.500). CONCLUSIONS: In this evaluation, platelet function testing using the PFA-100 provided a better indication of transfusion outcome than did the post-transfusion CCI. Using this approach, PFA-100 may be an effective aid for supporting platelet transfusion decisions and may further aid in improving management of the hospital blood bank platelet inventory.     

'Tag and label' system for checking and recording of blood transfusions

Guidelines for checking and recording of blood transfusion mandate the use of a blood transfusion compatibility form. We have introduced and assessed a 'tag and label' system that does away with the compatibility form. A compatibility tag with a peel-off self-adhesive label is attached to the unit for transfusion. No compatibility form is issued to the site of the transfusion. The peel-off label is signed and fixed in patient notes at the time of transfusion. We have found the system easier to use and to be preferred by nursing staff administering transfusions. During 2 years, we have transfused over 100,000 blood components, including 70,000 units of red cells, and have not recognized any episode during which the wrong blood was transfused to a patient. Recording in the patient notes of units transfused has significantly improved compared with local and national figures in a previous survey. We conclude that it is possible to dispense with the compatibility form without compromising the safety of the transfusion process.     

Leukocyte Transfusions

Tests for leukoagglutinins and lymphocytotoxic antibodies were performed on sera from 34 recipients of 78 transfusions of leukocytes obtained from donors with chronic myelogenous leukemia. The presence of preformed leukocyte alloantibodies directed against donor cells predisposed to transfusion reactions of variable severity and failure of the transfused cells to survive and circulate in their new host. Studies in vitro demonstrated that these antibodies could inhibit granulocyte phagocytosis and bactericidal capacity. Pretransfusion compatibility testing for transfusion of leukocytes is recommended. Leukocytes should not be given if they are agglutinated by the recipient's serum or if the lymphocytes show damage in lymphocytotoxicity tests.     

自制输血相容性检测室内质控品保存条件的研究

本研究目的是利用输血相容性检测实验室现有血液标本资源,建立自制室内质控品技术。随机选取24名A型RhD阳性的健康献血者,分别采集静脉血4ml,采用析因设计方法,根据使用抗凝剂种类、是否添加红细胞保存液以及标本每日室温存放时间,将24个标本随机平均分成8组,将所有盛装标本的试管盖帽后4℃保存,每天在室温放置1小时或2小时。分别在保存的0、7、14、21、28、35天测定所有标本的ABO、RhD血型（记录正反定型的凝集强度）、IgM抗B抗体效价和上清液中游离血红蛋白浓度并计算其增量值。结果表明：使用ACD-B抗凝剂并添加MAP红细胞保存液,每天室温放置1小时（A282C1）组标本的红细胞损伤最小,各时间点FHb浓度及其增量值均最低（P〈0．01）,35天时FHb浓度仅为（245．1±84,5）mg／L。保存过程中A抗原、D抗原及kM抗B抗体反应活性无明显变化（P〉0．05）。结论：在输血相容性检测实验室现有条件下,可以利用本研究建立的A282C1方案制备出性能相对稳定、可有效保存的能够满足室内质控要求的改良全血室内质控品。     

罕见B（A）血型的检测及其安全输血探讨

本研究探讨稀有B（A）血型的遗传特性、鉴定方法和输血策略.采用血型血清学方法、PCR-SSP方法基因定型和ABO血型第6、7外显子直接测序的方法进行B（A）血型鉴定,并分析该家系的血型遗传特点和分子机制;同时对B（A）型献血者和用血者进行配合性试验和临床输血研究.结果表明,该家系调查发现3例血清学结果正反定型结果不符,均为血清学结果为正定型AB型,反定型B型,ABO基因型为B（A）04/O01型,1袋B（A）型红细胞输注给1例B型患者后临床有轻度的输血反应,B（A）型患者输注O型洗涤红细胞后患者未出现输血反应.结论：对ABO血型血清学正反定型不符的标本,可以用家系调查和分子生物学方法进行辅助验证,B（A）型血液不能给B型或AB型患者输注,B（A）血型患者输血时应采取配合性成分输血或自身输血.     

Control of the antigen-antibody ratio in antibody detection/compatibility tests

An evaluation was made of the variation and importance of dropper volume delivery on pretransfusion testing in ten hospital transfusion services which annually perform a combined total of 225,000 compatibility tests on the serum of approximately 70,000 patients. The pretransfusion testing by these institutions typifies practices throughout the United States in that serum and red blood cells are used with little awareness of actual volumes used and the resultant proportion of one reactant to the other. Tests of the hospitals' dropper pipettes showed a range of serum delivery per test of 0.0465 to 0.1155 ml. Commercial reagent red blood cell vial droppers delivered (according to cell concentration) from 0.00166 to 0.00294 ml packed red blood cells (pcv). From these findings, it could be shown that the serum to cell ratio in the tests done in two transfusion services was as low as 19 to 1 and that the highest ratio of 70 to 1 was used in only one institution. In none was the serum-cell ratio the optimum of 80 to 1.     

输血相容性检测室内质控品制备技术优化与性能评价

目的优化自制输血相容性检测室内全血质控品制备技术,检测其保存过程中综合性能指标的变化,确定合理的处理流程、保存期限并评价其应用价值。方法选择多人份采集时间≤10 d的B型RhD阴性健康献血者标本,将其混合后离心留取上清血浆,再将混合浓缩红细胞分成2组,MAP组:使用MAP红细胞保养液洗涤2次;Saline组:使用生理盐水洗涤2次。将2组洗涤后的红细胞分别与MAP红细胞保存液、对应混合血浆按照1∶2∶3的体积比混合。选择商品化IgG抗-D试剂做抗-D效价测定,确定出现最后1个2+凝集强度的稀释倍数,并按照此稀释倍数分别在2组质控品中填加相应体积的IgG抗-D。将2组混合悬液分装在硬质塑料试管中盖帽4℃保存,每天在室温放置1 h,分别在保存的0、35、42、49 d检测质控品标本红细胞与标准抗-B的凝集强度、IgM抗-A与反定A细胞的凝集强度、IgG抗-D与RhD阳性O型红细胞的凝集强度、上清液中Na+、K+、LDH、乳酸、FHb浓度、红细胞形态变化以及质控品中细菌繁殖情况。结果保存过程中2组质控品红细胞B抗原、IgG抗D抗体反应活性均无明显变化(P>0.05),IgM抗A抗体反应活性虽出现波动(P<0.01),但凝集强度变化均在1+范围内;2组质控品K+、乳酸浓度均随保存时间延长明显增高(P<0.01),但保存35、42d时2组各指标之间无明显差异(P>0.05);2组质控品FHb浓度均随保存时间延长而增高,但相同保存时间2组之间比较无明显差异(P<0.01)。保存49 d时MAP组和Saline组FHb浓度分别为(857.1±301.5)mg/L和(595.3±334.9)mg/L,与保存0d相比均明显升高(P<0.01),MAP组部分质控品FHb浓度已经超过中度溶血标准(1 000 mg/L);2组质控品保存末期(≤42 d)红细胞都会出现一定程度的皱缩并形成棘突,但2组之间无明显差异;2组质控品保存过程中都未见细菌生长。结论本室采用2种方法自制的全血质控品质量无明显差异,保存期都能达到42 d,且管间差异小、抗原抗体反应活性稳定,能够满足输血相容性检测室内质控的相关要求,适合在输血相容性检测实验室推广。