相变保温材料在血液长途运输中的应用

目的探讨以相变保温材料作为悬浮红细胞长途运输保温材料的可行性。方法在分别装有悬浮红细胞54U的简易运血箱和本院研发的运血箱中,各放置自行研制的相变保温材料12袋,于运输途中火车停站时观察运血箱中温度。结果在近72h的运输过程中,悬浮红细胞的温度始终维持在1—7℃,达到运输红细胞的温度要求。结论利用该相变保温材料可有效保障72h以内血液运输的温控要求。     

不同白细胞滤除方式对去白细胞悬浮红细胞溶血的影响

目的 探讨不同白细胞滤除方法及血液储存时间对红细胞溶血的影响,选择并建立合适的操作方法,降低溶血率.方法 采用采血袋与滤器一体的多联采血联袋.将采集的全血分2个阶段,分别采用直接混匀过滤和少量血浆浸润滤盘法制备去白细胞悬浮红细胞,观察不同制备方法、24h内的血液与储存24 h后的血液过滤后对红细胞溶血的影响.结果 少量血浆浸润滤盘法制备的去白细胞悬浮红细胞溶血比例明显低子直接混匀过滤法;储存24h以内和24h以后过滤的红细胞溶血率有统计学差异.结论 在24 h内采用少量血浆浸润滤盘法能有效降低去白细胞悬浮红细胞因溶血而造成的血液不合格率.     

《中国输血杂志》编辑部邮售书（刊）目

四川汶川大地震发生后,总后卫生部第一时间启动突发事件血液保障救援机制,根据地震灾区伤员救治工作需要,由沈阳、济南、南京、成都军区及第三军医大学等军队采供血机构迅即筹集了＞100万ml的血液,并预约1万名献血者作为流动血液储备,加强精确血液保障能力.在震后24 h内,首批10万ml急救血液已从从解放军重庆血站调拨运抵成都;紧急调用我军自己研制的简易运血箱,发往承担输血救治伤员任务的各单位;而且在这次抗震救灾血液保障救援行动中,运用我军自主研发的运血装备和保温材料,解决了血液长途运输的温度保持及血液质量控制难题.     

大于50%标示量的不足量血红细胞制剂储存期间溶血率调查

目的调查50%标示量不足量血制备的MAP悬浮红细胞和去白细胞悬浮红细胞储存期间的溶血率。方法分别采集12位志愿者的全血24 m L,在采血后4 h内混合,制备正常MAP悬浮红细胞、50%标示量的不足量血悬浮红细胞和去白细胞悬浮红细胞制剂并4℃保存,于0、7、14、21、28、35 d进行血细胞计数、红细胞比容和血浆游离血红蛋白的检测,计算储存期间红细胞制剂的溶血率。结果 50%标示量的不足量血MAP悬浮红细胞和去白细胞悬浮红细胞制剂储存期末溶血率均值为0.211%和0.153%;不足量血制剂储存期末溶血率显著高于正常红细胞制剂,而不足量悬浮红细胞和少白细胞悬浮红细胞之间差异有统计学意义。结论 50%标示量的不足量血制剂的储存期末溶血率低于0.8%,滤除白细胞可降低不足量血制剂储存期末溶血率。     

战斗在四川汶川地震灾区一线的军队血液保障尖兵

四川汶川大地震发生后,总后卫生部第一时间启动突发事件血液保障救援机制,根据地震灾区伤员救治工作需要,由沈阳、济南、南京、成都军区及第三军医大学等军队采供血机构迅即筹集了＞100万ml的血液,并预约1万名献血者作为流动血液储备,加强精确血液保障能力.在震后24 h内,首批10万ml急救血液已从从解放军重庆血站调拨运抵成都;紧急调用我军自己研制的简易运血箱,发往承担输血救治伤员任务的各单位;而且在这次抗震救灾血液保障救援行动中,运用我军自主研发的运血装备和保温材料,解决了血液长途运输的温度保持及血液质量控制难题.     

过滤有凝块献血者血液的质量探讨

目的探讨过滤前、后有凝块献血者血液的质量变化。方法选取采血不畅血液,经白细胞过滤血袋过滤后,通过透明塑料直尺测量凝块大小并计算比例;检测并分析过滤前、后悬浮红细胞和冰冻血浆常规检测指标变化。结果2019年3-12月共采集血液39831袋,发现采血不畅230袋,发生率为0.58%,过滤后肉眼可见血液凝块与纤维蛋白析出共30袋,占13.04%;过滤前和过滤后悬浮红细胞容量无明显变化。过滤后发现血液凝块<20 mm的悬浮红细胞质量检测数据均符合要求,血液凝块≥20 mm的悬浮红细胞血细胞比容(Hct)不符合质量标准。过滤前血液凝块<20 mm与≥20 mm的悬浮红细胞Hct比较,过滤后血液凝块<20 mm与≥20 mm的悬浮红细胞Hct比较,过滤前血液凝块<20 mm与≥20 mm的悬浮红细胞Hb比较,过滤后血液凝块<20 mm与≥20 mm的悬浮红细胞Hb比较,差异均有统计学意义(t=8.384、7.410、6.573、5.987,P<0.05)。过滤后血液凝块≥20 mm的悬浮红细胞经检测质量合格率为43.3%;血液凝块<20 mm悬浮红细胞贮存0~28 d过滤前和过滤后溶血率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);贮存35 d悬浮红细胞过滤前和过滤后溶血率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),但均在国家标准规定的范围内。检测30袋发现血液凝块和纤维蛋白析出后的冰冻血浆,其中25袋检测合格,另外5袋为纤维蛋白析出血浆,血浆总蛋白为(46.62±2.93)g/L,均不合格,血浆纤维蛋白原为(181.00±21.63)mg/dL,与正常血浆结果比较略低。使用显微镜镜检发现过滤前个别悬浮红细胞标本出现明显红细胞聚集,过滤后没有发现明显红细胞聚集,且过滤后悬浮红细胞细菌培养结果均无细菌生长。结论血液凝块≥20 mm的悬浮红细胞质量不合格,可以直接报废,血液凝块<20 mm的悬浮红细胞质量合格,纤维蛋白析出的冰冻血浆质量不合格,可以直接报废。血液采集时,应避免血管异常献血者献血,减少血液凝块产生。     

严寒野战条件下血液储存的有效方法

目的探讨严寒野战条件下血液储存的有效方法。方法将标准运血箱作为储血设备,用多功能野战血液加温箱为热源控温,测量帐篷内温度和运血箱内温度1次/6 h,定时注入热水进行温度调节。结果在低温(-3 0℃)高湿(6 0%)的环境下,运血箱内温度维持在(4±2)℃;箱内温度与箱体摆放的位置无关,箱内红细胞的容量与箱内温度有关;多功能血液加温装置可用热水注入方式进行温度调节。结论标准运血箱合并多功能血液加温器可作为严寒野战条件下的储血设备。     

减振装置对悬浮红细胞运输的减振效果研究

目的探讨减振装置对运输悬浮红细胞的减振效果。方法使用电磁振动实验系统,选择组合轮式车振动环境,利用振动监测仪,选用能反映振动强度的加速度均方根值来计算减振效率。选取采集后储存7 d的悬浮红细胞(2 U) 20袋,随机分为对照组和实验组,每组10袋,2组悬浮红细胞均放于制式血箱内,并将实验组放于减振装置上。2组均使用电磁振动实验系统,选择组合轮式车振动环境,模拟运输过程中产生的振动,振动方向为水平、纵向、垂直3方向,每个方向振动1 h,累积振动3 h。分别在振动前、累计振动3 h后留取血样,检测FHb浓度、溶血率、LDH、K~+浓度,分析比较振动前、振动后各指标的变化。结果实验组减振效率(75.51%)明显高于对照组(25.42%);2组悬浮红细胞振动后FHb浓度、溶血率、LDH、K~+含量较振动前显著升高(P0.05);振动后实验组FHb浓度、溶血率、LDH含量明显低于对照组(P0.05),而K~+含量2组之间无统计学差异。结论减振装置对血液运输具有较好的减振效果。     

悬浮红细胞保存前不同温度过滤对保存期溶血情况的影响

保存前过滤去除白细胞的悬浮红细胞已经应用于临床.我们结合实际工作流程,对2种常规方法(采集后8h内和4±2℃储存48h)制备的悬浮红细胞分别在室温和4±2℃过滤后于4℃常规保存,对照组直接在4℃常规保存,每周取血样本进行血浆pH、Hb、K+、Na+检测,保存期末进行细菌培养,通过比较过滤组与对照组在保存期间的溶血情况,了解悬浮红细胞保存前在不同温度下过滤去除白细胞对保存中溶血情况的影响,现报告如下.     

两种制备去白细胞悬浮红细胞方法的比较

目的探索使用全血及悬浮红细胞过滤白细胞对血液质量的影响。方法使用带有软壳的白细胞滤器、ACDB方抗凝剂四联采血袋采集全血60袋,随机分为各30袋的甲、乙两组,采血后18-24h内过滤白细胞,甲组为全血过滤,乙组为悬浮红细胞过滤。白细胞过滤后24h内测定血红蛋白含量和白细胞残留量,于采血后第1周、第2周、第3周、第4周、储存期末测定红细胞溶血率。结果两组血红蛋白含量和白细胞残留量相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;两组血液储存第一周红细胞溶血率相比较无显著差异（P〉0.05）,而在第2周、第3周、第4周及储存期末红细胞溶血率差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,乙组红细胞溶血率显著增加。结论使用全血或悬浮红细胞过滤白细胞制备的去白细胞悬浮红细胞,血红蛋白含量及白细胞残留量均无差异,但是使用悬浮红细胞制备的去白细胞悬浮红细胞,在储存第2周之后红细胞溶血现象较为显著,所以在发往医疗机构时,应优先发出使用悬浮红细胞过滤白细胞制备的去白细胞悬浮红细胞。     

Blood Product Supply for a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service

BackgroundLong patient transport times to trauma centers are a well-known problem in sparsely populated regions with a low hospital density. Transfusion of red blood cell concentrates (RBC) and plasma improves outcome of trauma patients with severe bleeding. Helicopter emergency services (HEMS) are frequently employed to provide early advanced medical care and to reduce time to hospital admission. Supplying HEMS with blood products allows prehospital transfusion and may help to prevent exsanguination or prolonged hemorrhagic shock. We have investigated the maintenance of blood product quality under air transport conditions and the logistical steps to introduce a HEMS blood depot into routine practice.MethodsA risk analysis was performed and a validation plan developed. A special, commercially available transport container for blood products was identified. Maintenance of temperature conditions between 2 and 6°C in the box were monitored at ambient temperatures up to 35°C over 48 h. Quality of blood products before and after helicopter air transport were evaluated including (1) for RBCs: hemoglobin, hematocrit, hemolysis rate; (2) for thawed plasma: aPTT, INR, single clotting factor activities. The logistics for blood supply of the regional HEMS were developed by the transfusion service of the Greifswald University Hospital in collaboration with the in-hospital transport team, the HEMS team, and the HEMS operator.ResultsThe transport container maintained a temperature below 6°C up to 36 h at 35°C ambient temperature. Vibration during helicopter operation did not impair quality of RBC and thawed plasma. To provide blood products for HEMS at least two transport containers and an additional set of cooling tiles is needed as the cooling tiles need a special temperature priming over 20 h. The two boxes were used at alternate days. To reduce wastage, RBCs and thawed plasmas were exchanged every fourth day and reintegrated into the blood bank inventory for further in-hospital use.ConclusionsSupplying HEMS with RBCs and plasma is feasible. Helicopter transport has no negative impact on blood product quality. The logistic challenges require close collaboration between the HEMS team and the blood transfusion service.     

Transfusion of cryopreserved human red blood cells into healthy humans is associated with rapid extravascular hemolysis without a proinflammatory cytokine response

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of stored red blood cells (RBCs) can be associated with adverse side effects. Recent studies in mice transfused with stored RBCs showed that a strong proinflammatory cytokine storm was induced due to extravascular hemolysis already at 2 hours after transfusion. Therefore, we here investigated if transfusion of 2 units of cryopreserved autologous RBCs induced a proinflammatory response in healthy human volunteers. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two units of autologous RBCs, cryopreserved for 16 weeks, were transfused into 10 healthy human volunteers. Serum and blood samples taken at 2 hours before and at 2 and 48 hours after transfusion were analyzed for signs of extravascular hemolysis and the presence of proinflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: At 2 hours after transfusion, transferin‐bound serum iron, as well as transferin saturation and total bilirubin, were already significantly increased. These measures all returned back toward that in pretransfusion samples at 48 hours after transfusion. No increases in the production of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1, macrophage inflammatory protein‐1β, or tumor necrosis factor‐α were detected at any time point after transfusion. CONCLUSION: Although a significant level of extravascular hemolysis already occurred at 2 hours after transfusion of cryopreserved RBCs, there were no signs of proinflammatory cytokine production up to 48 hours after transfusion.     

New insulation technology provides next-generation containers for "iceless" and lightweight transport of RBCs at 1 to 10 degrees C in extreme temperatures for over 78 hours

BACKGROUND: There is a universal need, in both civilian and military settings, for a lightweight container capable of maintaining RBCs at 1 to 10 degrees C in remote areas, during extended transit times, and under austere environments. The use of ice in insulated containers or small commercial coolers for these purposes often results in loss of RBCs due to failure to maintain temperatures within the requisite range. A lightweight and thermally efficient container capable of carrying 4 to 6 units of RBCs at 1 to 10 degrees C for over 72 hours under extreme conditions would help resolve current problems in RBC transportation. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Six different prototype containers incorporating phase-change materials (PCMs) in their designs were evaluated for their ability to maintain RBCs between 1 and 10 degrees C while exposed to external temperatures of -24 degrees C and 40 degrees C. In separate experiments, a container was opened and a RBC unit removed. RESULTS: One container weighing 10 pounds with four units of RBCs was capable of maintaining the temperature of the units between 1 and 10 degrees C for over 78 hours, 96 hours, and 120 hours at 40 degrees C, -24 degrees C, and 23 degrees C, respectively. Opening the container decreased these times by 2 to 3 hours. CONCLUSIONS: An energy-efficient and lightweight container that maintains RBCs at 1 to 10 degrees C under austere environments for over 78 hours is now available. This container, known as the Golden Hour container (GHC), will facilitate transport of RBCs. The GHC will have additional applications (transport and/or storage of vaccines, other biologics, organs, reagents, etc).     

Viability of AS-3 and SAG-M red cells stored in plastic syringes for pediatric transfusion

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients may require small-volume transfusions necessitating splitting of red cell (RBC) units. This process usually involves temporary storage of aliquots in pediatric blood bags or, in some cases, plastic syringes, until they are transfused. While many studies have been published on the efficacy of storage in blood bags, there is little evidence to show that RBCs are safe and effective for transfusion after separation into plastic syringe aliquots. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donor RBC units, stored in either SAG-M (n = 10) or AS-3 additive (n = 11), were split into transfer bags and plastic syringes and stored at either 4 degrees C or room temperature (RT). Half of the aliquots were also irradiated at 25 Gy. RBCs were monitored after 0, 4, and 24 hours of storage with the following variables to assess cellular function and viability: adenosine triphosphate, percent hemolysis, hematocrit, pH, lactate dehydrogenase, extracellular potassium, sodium, and RBC indices. RESULTS: There was no difference found between irradiated and nonirradiated aliquots or aliquots stored in the refrigerator versus those stored at RT. Significant differences between aliquots stored in approved transfer bags and those stored in syringes were not identified. CONCLUSIONS: Irradiation and storage of aliquoted RBCs demonstrated expected but not significant changes in the in vitro variables. Storage for up to 24 hours in syringes does not have a greater detrimental effect on RBCs than storage in transfer bags, making products stored in either container safe for transfusion to pediatric patients.     

Acute hemolysis of transfused A2 red cells by an auto-HI antibody

BACKGROUND: Anti-HI is a common cold autoantibody that complicates serologic testing for underlying alloantibodies and has only rarely been associated with hemolysis. An unusual case of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR) due to an anti-HI autoantibody in a subgroup A1 patient transfused with A2 red blood cells (RBCs) is reported. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old man presented to the hospital with anemia and gastrointestinal tract bleeding. His medical history was significant for congestive heart failure, obesity, and pulmonary hypertension. On admission, he was noted to have a hemoglobin level of 7.7 g per dL and therefore transfusion of RBCs was ordered. The patient was group A, D- with a reactive antibody screen due to a cold autoantibody with HI specificity. Further serologic investigation did not detect any alloantibodies. The patient was issued an electronically cross-matched group A, D- unit of RBCs. Several hours after the transfusion, he was found to be producing "Coca-cola"-colored urine with gross hemoglobinemia visible in a posttransfusion specimen, indicating an AHTR. A transfusion reaction investigation excluded mistransfusion or a missed alloantibody and instead revealed that the patient's anti-HI had a high thermal amplitude and that the implicated unit of RBCs was from the A2 subgroup. The patient subsequently tolerated transfusion of a unit of group A1 RBCs through a blood warmer without any signs or symptoms of hemolysis. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates that anti-HI autoantibodies rarely may behave like alloantibodies and cause AHTRs. Subsequent RBC transfusion with an appropriate ABO group or subgroup through a blood warmer is well tolerated.     

HCV胶体金试剂在急诊患者手术输血前的快速检测

目的应用HCV胶体金试剂对急诊手术患者输血前进行检测,并与抗-HCV ELISA法进行比较。方法对本医院2008年1～10月的3216例急诊手术患者,先应用HCV胶体金试剂检测抗体,再分别用试剂①、②两种抗-HCV试剂进行ELISA法检测。对HCV胶体金试剂、试剂①、②检测为阳性的标本,再进行HCV RNA RT—PCR荧光定量检测。结果3216份标本中HCV胶体金试剂检测阳性25份,抗-HCV试剂①ELISA法检测阳性33份,试剂②检测阳性34份（两种试剂均阳性26份,仅试剂①、②阳性的分别为7和8份）。HCV RNA RT—PCR荧光定量检测阳性28份。结论HCV胶体金法与抗-HCV ELISA法结果符合率为92．59％,与HCV RNA RT—PCR荧光定量法结果符合率89．29％,HCV胶体金试纸法假阳性率低,操作简便、快速,适合急诊患者手术前输血的筛选。     

Monocyte chemoattractant protein production in red cell incompatibility

BACKGROUND: Mononuclear phagocytes play a central role in hemolytic transfusion reactions by erythrophagocytosis and production of inflammatory mediators. Factors that affect the number or function of monocyters would be expected to alter the clinical course of hemolytic transfusion reactions, and thus the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a recently described chemotactic and activating cytokine specific for monocytes, was investigated in two distinct settings of red cell (RBC) incompatibility. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Fresh heparinized whole blood was incubated with ABO- compatible or -incompatible RBCs. Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were incubated with anti-D-coated or uncoated RBCs. MCP-1 was measured in the plasma or culture medium by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MCP-1 gene expression was detected by Northern blot analysis of buffy coat or mononuclear cell total RNA. RESULTS: Significant levels of MCP-1 protein in plasma or medium were detected 24 hours after the addition of incompatible RBCs, but not in the first 6 hours. Nonimmune hemolysis of added RBCs did not stimulate MCP-1 production. The inactivation of complement by heat treatment of plasma prior to the addition of RBCs to whole blood did not prevent MCP-1 production. Nor did neutralizing antibodies to tumor necrosis factor prevent MCP-1 production in ABO incompatibility. MCP-1 production was associated with increased steady-state levels of white cell MCP-1 mRNA, which occurred more rapidly in ABO than Rh incompatibility. CONCLUSION: The monocyte- specific chemotactic cytokine MCP-1 is produced by peripheral blood leukocytes in response to RBC incompatibility. MCP-1 may act in a positive feedback loop to recruit and activate monocytes during hemolytic transfusion reactions, thus contributing to the maintenance of these reactions.     

Transfusion of incompatible RBCs to a patient with alloanti-Kp(b)

BACKGROUND: The finding of an antibody that reacts against a high-incidence blood group antigen always constitutes a complex transfusion problem because of the difficulty in finding compatible units. When the transfusion of incompatible RBCs is imperative, it would be of great interest to have access to techniques facilitating the prediction of the transfusion outcome. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The case of a patient with alloanti-Kp(b) who required RBC transfusions is reported. The functional activity of this antibody was assessed by both the chemiluminescence test (CLT) and the survival of 51Cr-labeled RBCS: RESULTS: The CLT showed an opsonic index of 0.8 with Kp(b)-positive RBCs (normal values up to 1.6) in pretransfusion studies. During an elective surgical procedure, the patient required the transfusion of one incompatible unit of RBCs, which did not produce hemolysis. Two weeks after this incompatible transfusion, the opsonic index had risen to 11. Results of the 51Cr in vivo study, also performed at that time, indicated 24.3 percent survival of Kp(b)-positive RBCs at 60 minutes and 2.0 percent at 24 hours. CONCLUSION: Results of the CLT correlated with the in vivo transfusion outcome and later with the 51Cr survival study.     

Anti-i causing acute hemolysis following a negative immediate-spin crossmatch

A unique case of acute hemolysis following transfusion of red cells (RBCs) that were found compatible by immediate-spin (IS) crossmatch technique is reported. Screening tests for unexpected antibodies, using low-ionic-strength saline (LISS), 10 minutes' incubation at 37 degrees C, and anti-IgG, were nonreactive; however, 1 transfused unit was found crossmatch incompatible by indirect antiglobulin technique (IAT). An anti-i (titer 512 at 4 degrees C) that was not an autoantibody was identified in the patient's serum. Unlike the incriminated donor RBCs, most I+ RBCs did not react by LISS-IAT. Variable reactivity was seen with ficin-treated I+ RBCs, and there was marked hemolysis of iadult and icord RBCs. In marked contrast, dominant Lu(a-b-) RBCs, with reduced expression of i, did not react by any test method; nor did autologous I+, Lu(b+) RBCs. The in vivo clinical significance of this anti-i was confirmed by monocyte monolayer assay and RBC survival studies. The patient's i antigen may have been altered, by either chemotherapy or disease, and lacked part of the i antigen-mosaic. Her antibody was directed at epitopes of i that were absent from her RBCs. Those i epitopes missing from her RBCs are also absent on dominant Lu(a-b-) RBCs. This anti-i represents a unique cause of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. It also represents a case of acute immune-mediated hemolysis following transfusion of IS crossmatch-compatible blood when screening tests for unexpected antibodies are nonreactive. Because of the rarity of such cases (less than 1/200,000 RBC units transfused), modifications to pretransfusion testing protocols are not proposed.     

Clinical significance of anti-Jra: report of two cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Jra is a high-frequency antigen seen in all populations, but the clinical significance of Jra antibodies is incompletely understood. Two cases are reported in which patients with anti-Jra received incompatible transfusions. CASE REPORTS: A 69-year-old Japanese man had anti-K and anti-Jra. Despite multiple transfusions of Jr(a+), K- RBCs, his clinical course remained stable without evidence of hemolysis. A 45-year-old Japanese woman with anti-Jra was transfused with two units of Jr(a+) RBCs without clinical evidence of hemolysis. However, the same patient received an additional unit of Jr(a+) RBCs 1 week after the initial transfusions and, within 6 hours of transfusion, developed signs and symptoms of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Routine serologic methods were used to study the patients' RBCs and plasma. A monocyte monolayer assay (MMA) was used to determine the potential clinical significance of the anti-Jra, where reactivity (R) greater than 5 percent indicates potential clinical significance. RESULTS: The anti-Jra in the first case had a pretransfusion titer of 32 with a MMA result of 3.3 percent R. No clinical or laboratory evidence of hemolysis was seen after transfusion of 4 units of Jr(a+), K- RBCs. The anti-Jra in the second case had a pretransfusion titer of 32 with a MMA result of 24.5 percent R. This patient developed an acute hemolytic reaction after transfusion of Jr(a+) RBCs. CONCLUSION: Anti-Jra can be clinically significant as demonstrated by acute hemolysis in the second case. The MMA accurately predicted the clinical outcome of each case and appears to be a useful tool in predicting the biologic behavior of anti-Jra.