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For assessment of COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, neutralization activity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody is measured. This study was undertaken to determine optimum levels of binding antibody units (BAU/ml) in new quantitative chemiluminescent assay (CLIA) that corresponded to neutralizing potential (30% inhibition) of sVNT assay. Methods: Ninety-one blood samples were analyzed by CLIA and sVNT assays. Test samples (n = 75) were collected from blood donors post-2nd vaccination dose, while control samples (n = 16) were archived pre-COVID donor samples. Correlation between CLIA and sVNT was calculated and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and analyzed. Results: Results indicated excellent correlation between 57.5 BAU/ml on CLIA and 30%inhibition on sVNT assay. ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.971. Discussion: The present study determined that 57.5 BAU/ml on CLIA corresponded to 30% inhibition on sVNT assay. Periodic quantitative analysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Post-donation counselling informs donors of unusual test results. Timely notification and counselling regarding their Transfusion Transmitted Infection (TTI) status is necessary for early clinical intervention in the donor and reducing risk of transmission. We share our experience with respect to Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) positive donors who were counselled and followed-up for clinical outcome. Materials and methods It was prospective 2-year study in TTI positive blood donors. Confirmed positive HBV/ HCV donors were notified to attend the donor-clinic or to visit local hepatologist for further management. At donor clinic, donor’s immediate emotional response was observed; donors were offered contact-testing, associated risk factors were noted, counselled, referred to hepatologist, treated and followed-up for clinical outcome. Results Of 481 donors (0.91%) confirmed positives, 351 were contacted telephonically; 280 promised to attend donor clinic and 71 were referred to their local hepatologist. 145 donors attended the donor clinic, eventually. Most common immediate emotional response noted were ‘feeling of fear’ (55.2%) and ‘disbelief’ (35.2%). Most common associated risk factor was history of medical treatment/ injections without knowledge of sterilisation. Five donors availed contact testing and four (spouses in all four cases) came out positive. Of 98 donors contacted post-counselling; 89 went to hepatologist. No medication was advised to seven donors (low viral load), 59 donors completed treatment course and 23 donors were undergoing treatment at time of follow-up. Nine donors opted for alternative treatment or “no treatment”. Conclusion Donor-clinic proved beneficial to substantial number of donors and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There are several studies on prevalence of individual infectious disease markers (mono-infection) in donors but none on prevalence of coinfection. Co-infection is significant as it leads to accelerated disease progression. We, therefore, evaluated the prevalence of co-infection among blood donors. Materials and methods The cross-sectional analysis was conducted in blood donors. All donors were tested for anti-HIV I and II, HBsAg, anti-HBC IgM, anti-HCV, Malaria and syphilis by chemiluminescence and ID-NAT assay. All reactive donor samples were confirmed by using confirmatory assays. Donors were grouped as mono-infected and co-infected. The student t -test was used for comparison. Results During the study period, a total of 106,238 blood donors were tested. Mean age of donors was 34.2 years and 94.2% of blood donors were males. 1776 (1.67%) donor samples were confirmed serologically reactive. 1714 (1.61%) samples were reactive for single marker (mono-infected) while 62 (0.05%) donors’ samples exhibited co-infection. 18 donors were positive for HBV+HCV followed by HIV +syphilis (14). Conclusion We report for the first time the prevalence of different co-infection patterns in blood donors. Co-infection influence the disease progression; it would be important to investigate the co-infection prevalence in larger sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Blood donor experiences both immediate adverse reactions (IAR) and delayed adverse reactions (DAR). With limited published data available on the incidence of DAR, a study was conducted to estimate incidence and profile of DAR through telephonic interview. Materials and methods Study was conducted over a 45-day period for consecutive volunteer whole blood donations at tertiary care hospital. Donors were divided into first-time, repeat and regular and were monitored for IAR. They were given written copy of post-donation advice. Donors were contacted telephonically three weeks post-donation and enquired about general wellbeing and specific DAR in accordance with a standard n international (International Society of Blood Transfusion) standard format. Results Donors participated in the study of which 1.6% donors experienced an IAR. Much larger number reported DAR (10.3% vs.1.6% p < 0.0001). Further, DAR was presented as a variegated profile with bruise, painful arms and fatigue being the commonest. DARs were more common in females than males (25% vs. 10.3%, p < 0.02). Localized DAR like bruise and painful arms were more common in younger donors (age <50 years) whereas systemic DAR like fatigue was common in older donors (>50 years). First time (12.3%) and repeat donors (13.5%) had similar frequency of DAR but were lower among regular donors (6.7%). Conclusion DARs are more common than IAR and are of different profile. Post-donation interview has provided an insight into donor experiences and can be used as a valuable tool in donor hemovigilance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In India variable rate of “NAT yield” has been demonstrated in several published reports. This study was performed with the objective to know the rate of “true NAT yield” in blood donors by confirmation with supplementary tests and follow up of initial “NAT yield” donors. Materials and Methods A total of 48,441 blood donors were tested for HIV, HBV and HCV with enhanced chemiluminescence and ID-NAT. To know the true NAT yield status confirmation of NAT yield donors was done as with an array of serological tests, repeat ID-NAT and alternate NAT. Results The cumulative initial “NAT yield” rate was 1:4404 (11/48,441). Seven of 11 initial “NAT yields” were for hepatitis B whereas two each were in HIV and HCV. Among the 11 “NAT-yield” donors, eight donors were followed-up for confirmation. Out of these eight donors only 4 were found to be true HBV NAT yields. Out of four true NAT yields two were window period donations while the other two were occult hepatitis B infection with anti-HBcore total positive. Conclusion Our findings suggest that all “initial NAT yields” may not be “true NAT yields”. We would also like to suggest that to demonstrate the true “NAT yield” status supplementary tests and donor follow up are important to differentiate true NAT yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Since there is scarce data available on incidence and type of irregular antibodies in patients and donors in India, a study was undertaken to find the incidence of irregular antibodies in patients and irregular antibodies and a positive Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT) in blood donors. Materials and methods: Antibody screening was performed using commercial pooled “O” cells and three-cell panel for donors and patients respectively and an 11-cell panel for identification using Column Agglutination Technology (CAT) with Low-Ionic-Strength Saline–Indirect Antiglobulin Test (LISS–IAT) technique (Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Johnson & Johnson, USA). The cassettes used were Anti-human Globulin (AHG) type. DAT on donors was also performed using the AHG cassettes. Results: Cumulative incidence of irregular antibodies amongst patients (n =32,560) and donors (n =31,367) were 0.12–0.009%, respectively. In patients, the commonest antibodies were from Rh system with anti-D being the most common antibody type (14/40; 35%) while in donors it was the MNS system with anti M (2/3) being the most common. Incidence of a positive DAT amongst the healthy blood donors was 0.04% (n =13/32,560). Discussion: Incidence of irregular antibodies in patients at 0.12% was slightly lower than published reports and could be because of the fact that the patient population studied comprised largely of surgical patients many of whom have never received blood transfusion. This data could also be more representative since the number of patients studied was much higher as compared to the previous Indian studies (32,560 vs. 531–2026). The report on incidence of irregular antibodies and DAT (0.009–0.04%) in blood donors was first such attempt in India. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Quality assurance of single donor platelets (SDP) is incomplete unless clinical response to platelet transfusion is measured. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the quality of SDP derived from plateletpheresis procedures and to evaluate the response to platelet transfusion. Procedures were performed on 2287 accepted donors while 271 donors were deferred. Platelet count <1.5lac/μl and hemoglobin <12.5g/dl were the leading cause of deferral. The median platelet yield in a SDP bag was found to be 3.1×1011. The median corrected count increment (CCI) and post-transfusion platelet recovery (PPR) were found to be 10110×m2/μl and 24.5%, respectively. In India, the criteria for the selection of plateletpheresis donors should be revisited. Based on quality parameters, the Fresenius COM.TEC cell separator is comparable to other cell separators. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• 6678 donor blood samples were phenotyped to look for unusual phenotypes in Indian population. • Indigenous antibody screening panel was created with the help of phenotyped voluntary donor registry. • A rare donor with D - - phenotype was registered with the IRDP, Bristol, UK. A clinically significant red cell alloantibody is capable of accelerated destruction of red cells bearing the corresponding antigen. Knowledge of prevalence of these antigens is necessary for performing day to day work and for research in immunohematology. The primary aim of this study was to find the prevalence of 18 clinically significant blood group antigens in blood donors. Secondary objectives were to motivate and create a database of accessible, volunteer O blood group donors and to register rare donors with existing registries. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the department of Transfusion Medicine at a large tertiary care hospital in India from October 2016 to May 2018 with a planned sample size of 4800. Study population included healthy blood donors of either gender coming for blood donation to the blood centre. A total of 6678 samples were included in the study. First time donors were 21.41 % while 78.59 % were repeat donors. Voluntary donors constituted 15.81 % while replacement donors were 84.19 %. Male donors were 89.82 % while female donors were 10.18 %. The antigen, phenotype and gene frequencies were calculated. An extended phenotyped voluntary donor database was created and four rare donors were identified. One of these rare donors was registered with the International Rare Donor Panel (IRDP) and rest were registered in a local registry. This study might help enhance the confidence of blood banks in finding appropriate units for patients with unexpected antibodies or with rare phenotypes. It also paves a way for registering rare donors locally and internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]