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Background and Objectives: Malaria continues to be a significant public health concern in India, with several regions experiencing endemicity and sporadic outbreaks. The prevalence of malaria in blood donors, in India, varies between 0.02% and 0.07%. Common techniques to screen for malaria, in blood donors and patients, include microscopic smear examination and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on antigen detection. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new fully automated analyser, XN‐31, for malaria detection, as compared with current practice of using RDT. Materials and Methods: Cross‐sectional analytical study was conducted to evaluate clinical sensitivity and specificity of new automated analyser XN‐31 among blood donors' samples and clinical samples (patients with suspicion of malaria) from outpatient clinic collected over between July 2021 and October 2022. No additional sample was drawn from blood donor or patient. All blood donors and patients' samples were processed by malaria rapid diagnostic test, thick‐smear microscopy (MIC) and the haematology analyser XN‐31. Any donor blood unit incriminated for malaria was discarded. Laboratory diagnosis using MIC was considered the 'gold standard' in the present study. Clinical sensitivity and specificity of XN‐31 were compared with the gold standard. Results: Fife thousand and five donor samples and 82 diagnostic samples were evaluated. While the clinical sensitivity and specificity for donor samples were 100%, they were 72.7% and 100% for diagnostic samples. Conclusion: Automated haematology analysers represent a promising solution, as they can deliver speedy and sensitive donor malaria screening assessments. This method also has the potential to be used for pre‐transfusion malaria screening along with haemoglobin estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

ABO-incompatible transplantations allow patients to receive timely transplants. Isoagglutinin titration to ascertain levels of incompatible antibodies in the recipient is important in determining patient selection and transplant survivability. To find out the prevalent trends in India, the largest, first of its kind survey was carried out among the transplant centers regarding their practices in isoagglutinin titration. The survey was drafted by a working group of Transfusion and Transplant Immunology specialists from six different centers. Data was obtained via the use of an online questionnaire. Results were categorized into four categories, Hospital information, Titration methodology, Role of transfusion specialists and cut-off titers. Most centers had a well-established solid-organ transplant program with considerable number of ABO-incompatible transplantations. Most centers performed isoagglutinin titration in Transfusion Medicine department. Column Agglutination Technique (CAT) was the most common method, using EDTA blood samples and freshly-prepared in-house pooled cells. Most centers had a turn-around time of less than 12 h. While the policy for ascertaining baseline and threshold titers is well-defined in ABO-incompatible renal transplants, variations from center to center still exist for ABO-incompatible liver transplants. Most centers required a Transfusion Medicine consultation for the patients before such transplants. With increasing ABO-incompatible kidney and liver transplants across the country, the role of Transfusion medicine specialists has become vital in pre-conditioning regimes enabling the viability and success of such transplants. This was a unique survey that provided a snapshot of current trends and practices of isoagglutinin titration for ABO-incompatible transplants in India. • This was a survey undertaken among the Transplant centers across the country performing ABO incompatible transplants • Such transplants are being performed not only at larger tertiary centers in metro cities, but also in smaller hospitals across the country • The protocols for kidney transplants in regards to baseline and threshold titers appear better defined as compared to those for liver transplants • Underscores the growing importance of Transfusion Medicine as an integral part of such complex procedures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methodology Results Conclusion Anti‐D detection and titration plays a major role in RhD negative antenatal cases both, for monitoring maternal as well as fetal status as well as initiation of early therapeutic interventions, such as intra‐uterine transfusions (IUT) to improve maternal as well as fetal morbidity and mortality and reduce the adverse effects of haemolytic disease of fetus and newborn (HDFN). We conducted a survey focusing on the policies and procedures of anti‐D detection and titration among major tertiary care centres across India.The survey was drafted by a working group of transfusion medicine and immunohematology specialists from six different centres in India. Data were obtained via the use of an online questionnaire.Results were categorised into four categories, Hospital information, immuno‐haematological testing methodology, clinical significance of anti‐D testing and the role of transfusion medicine specialists. The survey highlighted the modalities as well as the methodologies of anti‐D detection and titration in antenatal women across different major tertiary care centres in India.This survey provided a unique snapshot of the prevalent methodologies being employed by major tertiary care centres across the country for detection and titration of anti‐D levels as well as the important role it plays in the therapy of affected antenatal women to minimise adverse effects on the fetus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]