Transfusion-transmitted emerging infectious diseases: 30 years of challenges and progress

Impact of blood donation biovigilance and transfusion-transmitted infections on organ transplantation

Over 118 million blood donations are collected globally each year. Recipients of blood products include those who experience major trauma or surgery, have acute blood loss and anemia, or impaired bone marrow function. Solid organ transplant recipients often require transfusion of blood products which places them at risk of transfusion-associated adverse events including transfusion-transmitted infection. National hemovigilance networks have documented low rates of transfusion-transmitted infection in the general population. Incidence transfusion-transmitted infection continues to occur in solid organ transplant patients and arises mainly from existing gaps in blood donor biovigilance processes. Emerging infectious diseases have highlighted existing gaps in the donor-recipient pathway to administering safe blood products. This article reviews the current process and regulatory oversight of blood donor biovigilance, including donor screening and microbiological testing, highlights cases of transfusion-transmitted infection documented in the literature, and addresses ways in which biovigilance may be improved, with a focus on the impact of solid organ transplantation.

Thresholds for Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Preterm Infants: Evidence to Practice

Rapid blood loss with circulatory shock is dangerous for the preterm infant as cardiac output and oxygen-carrying capacity are simultaneously imperilled. This requires prompt restoration of circulating blood volume with emergency transfusion. It is recommended that clinicians use both clinical and laboratory responses to guide transfusion requirements in this situation. For preterm infants with anemia of prematurity, it is recommended that clinicians use a restrictive algorithm from one of two recently published clinical trials. Transfusion outside these algorithms in very preterm infants is not evidence-based and is actively discouraged.

Ethics in transfusion medicine: Are the intricate layers of ethics all universal? A global view

Ethical principles have been considered, and in several respects regulated, along the entire blood procurement chain from donor motivation to transfusion to the patient. Consent of donors and voluntary non-remunerated donation are fields which have been addressed by codes of ethics and legislation. Caring for donor health is an area of further development of ethical standards. In part, blood products have also become a market, where commercial principles may synergize, but also creating issues in equality and maintaining human dignity that challenge societal solutions. At the bedside, the main global challenge remains to procure enough blood products for each patient in medical need. Allocation of rare blood, ethical evaluation of transfusion triggers, attitudes towards refusing blood transfusion and provision of blood products to remote settings are areas which should receive consideration.

Establishment of a keratinocyte and fibroblast bank for clinical applications in Japan

Regenerative medicine products using allogeneic cells, such as allogeneic cultured epidermis (allo-CE), have become a more critical therapeutic method for the treatment of burns. However, there are no clinically available allo-CE products in Japan. Therefore, establishing a quality-controlled cell bank is mandatory to create regenerative medical products using allogeneic cells. In this study, we selected ten patients from the Department of Plastic Surgery of Kyoto University Hospital to become cell donors. We performed medical interviews and blood sampling for the donor to ensure virus safety. We examined the tissues and isolated cells by performing a nucleic acid test (NAT). To establish a master cell bank, quality evaluation was performed according to the International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) Q5A. Serological tests of the blood samples from the ten donors showed that two of them were ineligible. The cells registered in the cell bank were found to be compatible after virus testing was performed, and a master cell bank was constructed. Hence, we established a keratinocyte and fibroblast bank of clinically usable human cultured cells in Japan for the first time.

Transfusion-transmitted arboviruses: Update and systematic review

Background

The detection of the first cases of transfusion-transmitted West Nile virus in 2002 posed a new challenge for transfusion safety. Institutions like the World Health Organization have stated that blood transfusion centers need to know the epidemiology of the different emerging infectious agents and their impact on blood transfusion. The aim of the study is to review the published cases of arbovirus transmission through transfusion of blood or blood components and to analyze their main clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

Material and methods

Systematic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus. Pairs of review authors selected a variety of scientific publications reporting cases of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses. Main clinical and epidemiological characteristics were reviewed of the cases described. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO CRD42021270355.

Results

A total of 74 cases of transfusion-transmitted infections were identified from 10 arboviruses: West Nile virus (n = 42), dengue virus (n = 18), Zika virus (n = 3), yellow fever vaccine virus (n = 3), tick-borne encephalitis virus (n = 2), Japanese encephalitis virus (n = 2), Powassan virus (n = 1), St. Louis encephalitis virus (n = 1), Ross River virus (n = 1) and Colorado tick fever virus (n = 1). The blood component most commonly involved was red blood cells (N = 35, 47.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 35.9% to 58.7%). In 54.1% (N = 40; 95% CI: 42.7%-65.47%) of the cases, the recipient was immunosuppressed. Transmission resulted in death in 18.9% (N = 14; 95% CI: 10.0%-27.8%) of the recipients. In addition, 18 additional arboviruses were identified with a potential threat to transfusion safety.

Discussion

In the last 20 years, the number of published cases of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses increased notably, implicating new arboviruses. In addition, a significant number of arboviruses that may pose a threat to transfusion safety were detected. In the coming years, it is expected that transmission of arboviruses will continue to expand globally. It is therefore essential that all responsible agencies prepare for this potential threat to transfusion safety.

The transfusion of blood and blood components entails some risks and potential complications, chief among them the transmission of infectious agents. Organizations like the American Association of Blood Banks have warned of the risks posed by emerging and re-emerging viruses for transfusion safety and have classified transmission of several arboviruses as a high or very high risk to the transfusion of blood and blood components. Following recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO), this study aims to enable safe blood transfusion services, by making available the latest updated information of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses and comprehensive knowledge of the current epidemiology of reported cases.

Research revealed case reports of transfusion transmission of 10 arboviruses, with West Nile virus and dengue virus as the most prevalent. Main clinical characteristics of reported cases were collected, including the type of blood component transfused and the state of immunosuppression of the recipient. Research also revealed 18 additional arboviruses with potential risk of transmission through other direct transmission routes. This systematic review provides an updated overview of the clinical characteristics of reported cases of transfusion-transmitted arboviruses. It is the most complete record published to date that assesses the risk posed by arboviruses to blood transfusion.

Patterns of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV Among Blood Donors in Samtah-Jazan Region

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Transfusion-transmitted infectious agents are amongst the major health burden worldwide. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among blood donors in Samtah General Hospital, Jazan region, Saudi Arabia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, blood donation records of all blood donors recruited between January 2019 and August 2020 were included for data acquisition. A total of 4977 blood donors' records were reviewed and data were analysed.

RESULTS

Hepatitis B profile showed 0.60% blood donors positive for hepatis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Nucleic acid testing (NAT) showed the presence of HBV-DNA in 0.4% of the blood donors. Anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibodies were reactive in 3.34% and 7.31% blood donors' units, respectively. Anti-HCV antibodies were reactive among 54 (1.09%) blood donors. Upon reviewing the NAT analysis results, 0.16% (08) blood donors showed the presence of HCV-RNA in their blood units. Anti-HIV antibodies were reactive in 8 (0.16%) blood donors.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the frequency of HBsAg is comparatively lower while anti-HCV positivity is higher in Samtah, Jazan as a region compared to other regions of the country. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the cause of HCV infection in this area. Frequency of HIV is uncommon in this area.

Detection of Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA in blood donors in southeastern Sweden

BACKGROUND

The tick-borne bacterium Neoehrlichia mikurensis can cause persistent asymptomatic bloodstream infections, but transfusion-mediated transmission has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of N. mikurensis in blood donors, and recipients of blood components from N. mikurensis-positive donors were traced.

METHODS

In 2019 and 2021, 1007 blood donors were recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire and additional blood samples were collected during blood donation. Detection of N. mikurensis was performed by PCR followed by sequencing. Positive donors were interviewed and retested. Look-back was performed on positive donations and on all subsequent donations.

RESULTS

N. mikurensis was detected in 7/1006 (0.7%) donors. A total of 380/1005 (38%) donors reported at least one noticed tick bite during the current season. The questionnaire could not detect any differences between negative and positive N. mikurensis-donors. Two of the positive donors were still positive on days 318 and 131 after the index donation, respectively. One donor with persistent N. mikurensis in blood experienced slight fatigue. All other had no symptoms attributable to neoehrlichiosis. Look-back included ten donations and 20 blood components. Eight components were discarded, and 12 recipients of N. mikurensis-positive donations were identified. PCR was negative in seven recipients. Five recipients had died, but their medical records gave no evidence for neoehrlichiosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Although N. mikurensis was found in 0.7% of blood donors, transfusion-mediated infection was not detected, despite several recipients being at high risk for severe neoehrlichiosis. The results warrant further studies as well as raised clinical awareness.

A Conserved Receptor-Binding Domain in the VP1u of Primate Erythroparvoviruses Determines the Marked Tropism for Erythroid Cells

Parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a human pathogen with a marked tropism for erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs). The N-terminal of the VP1 unique region (VP1u) contains a receptor-binding domain (RBD), which mediates virus uptake through interaction with an as-yet-unknown receptor (VP1uR). Considering the central role of VP1uR in the virus tropism, we sought to investigate its expression profile in multiple cell types. To this end, we established a PP7 bacteriophage-VP1u bioconjugate, sharing the size and VP1u composition of native B19V capsids. The suitability of the PP7-VP1u construct as a specific and sensitive VP1uR expression marker was validated in competition assays with B19V and recombinant VP1u. VP1uR expression was exclusively detected in erythroid cells and cells reprogrammed towards the erythroid lineage. Sequence alignment and in silico protein structure prediction of the N-terminal of VP1u (N-VP1u) from B19V and other primate erythroparvoviruses (simian, rhesus, and pig-tailed) revealed a similar structure characterized by a fold of three or four α-helices. Functional studies with simian parvovirus confirmed the presence of a conserved RBD in the N-VP1u, mediating virus internalization into human erythroid cells. In summary, this study confirms the exclusive association of VP1uR expression with cells of the erythroid lineage. The presence of an analogous RBD in the VP1u from non-human primate erythroparvoviruses emphasizes their parallel evolutionary trait and zoonotic potential.

Transfusion Reactions and Adverse Events

Blood transfusions are generally safe but can carry considerable risks. This review summarizes the different types of transfusion reactions and ways to diagnose and manage them. Symptoms are often overlapping and nonspecific. When a reaction is suspected, it is critical to stop the transfusion immediately and report the reaction to the blood bank, as this can affect the patient's outcome. New evidence-based algorithms of transfusion, newer blood screening methods and donor policies and deferrals, new laboratory testing, electronic verification systems, and improved hemovigilance lead to the avoidance of unnecessary transfusions and decrease the incidence of serious transfusion reactions.

The VP1u of Human Parvovirus B19: A Multifunctional Capsid Protein with Biotechnological Applications

The viral protein 1 unique region (VP1u) of human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a multifunctional capsid protein with essential roles in virus tropism, uptake, and subcellular trafficking. These functions reside on hidden protein domains, which become accessible upon interaction with cell membrane receptors. A receptor-binding domain (RBD) in VP1u is responsible for the specific targeting and uptake of the virus exclusively into cells of the erythroid lineage in the bone marrow. A phospholipase A₂ domain promotes the endosomal escape of the incoming virus. The VP1u is also the immunodominant region of the capsid as it is the target of neutralizing antibodies. For all these reasons, the VP1u has raised great interest in antiviral research and vaccinology. Besides the essential functions in B19V infection, the remarkable erythroid specificity of the VP1u makes it a unique erythroid cell surface biomarker. Moreover, the demonstrated capacity of the VP1u to deliver diverse cargo specifically to cells around the proerythroblast differentiation stage, including erythroleukemic cells, offers novel therapeutic opportunities for erythroid-specific drug delivery. In this review, we focus on the multifunctional role of the VP1u in B19V infection and explore its potential in diagnostics and erythroid-specific therapeutics.

Quality assessment of red blood cell suspensions derived from pathogen-reduced whole blood

BACKGROUND

We used laboratory indicators to evaluate the quality of pathogen-reduced red blood cell suspension (RBCS) compared with gamma-irradiated RBCS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To determine biochemical and metabolic parameters of RBCS, we obtained 50 whole blood units from healthy volunteers and randomized them into 2 groups: 25 were pathogen-reduced, and then, RBCS prepared from them. RBCS from the other 25 was gamma-irradiated. Sampling was carried out on day zero before and after treatment and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. To determine lymphocyte inactivation, we collected another 35 whole blood units. Each was sampled to form 3 study groups: untreated, gamma-irradiated and pathogen-reduced. Daily sampling was carried out during 3 days of storage.

RESULTS

The quality of RBCS from both groups was largely the same, except for haemolysis and red blood cell fragility, which were more pronounced in the pathogen-reduced group. This finding limited the shelf life of pathogen-reduced RBCS to 14 days. Lymphocyte viability was significantly reduced after both treatments. Proliferation of lymphocytes after pathogen reduction was reduced to the detection limit, while low-level proliferation was observed in gamma-irradiated samples.

CONCLUSION

Pathogen-reduced red blood cells have acceptable quality and can be used for transfusion within 14 days. Results of inactivation of lymphocytes demonstrate that pathogen reduction technology, applied on WB, can serve as an alternative to irradiation.

Qualification of the Geenius HIV 1/2 supplemental assay for use in the HIV blood donation screening algorithm

BACKGROUND

A single, simplified approach for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1/HIV-2 antibody confirmation/differentiation is needed for the HIV blood donation supplemental algorithm used in the United States. A clinical evaluation of the Geenius assay was performed-the same assay used for HIV diagnostic confirmation/differentiation in the United States since 2014.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Well-characterized unlinked donation samples classified as HIV negative, false positive, or confirmed positive were included in the study: 200 antibody-nonreactive, 200 HIV-1 immunofluorescence assay (IFA) confirmed-positive, and 100 antibody-screen false-positive donations, equally divided between serum and plasma. Samples were retrieved from a repository, relabeled, and tested by an immunochromatographic test (Geenius HIV 1/2 Supplemental Assay, Bio-Rad). Comparator testing involved parallel US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed HIV-1 IFA or HIV-2 enzyme immunoassay (EIA) supplemental testing for any sample missing those results as part of routine testing (otherwise test-of-record results were used). Samples with discordant results were further tested with a rapid test (Multispot HIV-1/HIV-2 Rapid Test, Bio-Rad) to provide final sample interpretations. Testing volume reductions with the Geenius were estimated from screening performed by the American Red Cross from September 2016 to April 2019.

RESULTS

Clinical results were 100% sensitivity and specificity with an indeterminate rate of 4.0% to 5.0%. From 2016 to 2019, sole use of the Geenius would reduce testing complexity for 5265 antibody repeat-reactive donations including 95.7% (5028) false positives, eliminating approximately 5000 unnecessary tests.

CONCLUSION

Geenius FDA licensure (August 26, 2019) adding the HIV-1/HIV-2 differentiation/confirmation donation supplemental claim will enable replacement of previously used FDA-licensed supplemental assays while maintaining comparable sensitivity, avoiding thousands of unnecessary HIV-1-IFA, western blot, and HIV-2-EIA tests.

Blood Transfusion-Associated Infections in the Twenty-First Century: New Challenges

Blood transfusions are vital components of modern medical treatment to which there is no viable alternative despite efforts to create artificial blood. Each year thousands of lives are saved by blood transfusions in every country of the world. However, blood and blood products can result in significant adverse events including immunologic reactions, infections, inefficacy, and others which can sometimes result in death and severe disability. Thus, the sustainability of safe blood systems and costs are considered to be at crisis level. In industrialized countries, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis viruses B and C are very low [generally [<1 in a million units], but in developing countries [especially in Africa] blood safety is still not assured. Compounding the problem of blood/product safety with respect to infectious agents are new emerging infectious microbes that are not being routinely tested for in blood that are donated. This chapter reviews the infectious risk of blood transfusions, types, mode and geographic variation, and the methods being used by blood services to attenuate and prevent these risks.

Amustaline-glutathione pathogen-reduced red blood cell concentrates for transfusion-dependent thalassaemia

Transfusion‐dependent thalassaemia (TDT) requires red blood cell concentrates (RBCC) to prevent complications of anaemia, but carries risk of infection. Pathogen reduction of RBCC offers potential to reduce infectious risk. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of pathogen‐reduced (PR) Amustaline‐Glutathione (A‐GSH) RBCC for TDT. Patients were randomized to a blinded 2‐period crossover treatment sequence for six transfusions over 8–10 months with Control and A‐GSH‐RBCC. The efficacy outcome utilized non‐inferiority analysis with 90% power to detect a 15% difference in transfused haemoglobin (Hb), and the safety outcome was the incidence of antibodies to A‐GSH‐PR‐RBCC. By intent to treat (80 patients), 12·5 ± 1·9 RBCC were transfused in each period. Storage durations of A‐GSH and C‐RBCC were similar (8·9 days). Mean A‐GSH‐RBCC transfused Hb (g/kg/day) was not inferior to Control (0·113 ± 0·04 vs. 0·111 ± 0·04, P = 0·373, paired t‐test). The upper bound of the one‐sided 95% confidence interval for the treatment difference from the mixed effects model was 0·005 g/kg/day, within a non‐inferiority margin of 0·017 g/kg/day. A‐GSH‐RBCC mean pre‐transfusion Hb levels declined by 6·0 g/l. No antibodies to A‐GSH‐RBCC were detected, and there were no differences in adverse events. A‐GSH‐RBCCs offer potential to reduce infectious risk in TDT with a tolerable safety profile.

Transfusion of pathogen-reduced platelet components without leukoreduction

BACKGROUND

Leukoreduction (LR) of platelet concentrate (PC) has evolved as the standard to mitigate risks of alloimmunization, clinical refractoriness, acute transfusion reactions (ATRs), and cytomegalovirus infection, but does not prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). Amotosalen-ultraviolet A pathogen reduction (A-PR) of PC reduces risk of transfusion-transmitted infection and TA-GVHD. In vitro data indicate that A-PR effectively inactivates WBCs and infectious pathogens.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A sequential cohort study evaluated A-PR without LR, gamma irradiation, and bacterial screening in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. The first cohort received conventional PC (control) processed without LR, but with gamma irradiation and bacterial screening. The second cohort received A-PR PC (test) processed without: LR, bacterial screening, or gamma irradiation. The primary efficacy outcome was the 1-hour corrected count increment. The primary safety outcome was treatment-emergent ATR. Secondary outcomes included clinical refractoriness, and 100-day status for engraftment, TA-GVHD, HSCT-GVHD, infections, and mortality.

RESULTS

Mean corrected count increment (× 10³ ) of 33 test PC recipients was similar (18.9 ± 8.8 vs. 16.6 ± 8.4; p = 0.296) to that of 31 control PC recipients. Test recipients had a reduced, but nonsignificant, incidence of ATR (test = 9.1%, Control = 19.4%; p = 0.296). The frequencies of clinical refractoriness (0 of 33 vs. 4 of 31 patients) and refractory transfusions (6.6% vs. 19.3%) were lower in the test cohort (p = 0.05 and 0.02), respectively. No patient in either cohort had TA-GVHD. Day 100 engraftment, HSCT-GVHD, mortality, and infectious disease complications were similar between cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that A-PR PC without LR, gamma irradiation, or bacterial screening is feasible for support of HSCT.

Prevention of transfusion-transmitted infections

Since the 1970s, introduction of serological assays targeting virus-specific antibodies and antigens has been effective in identifying blood donations infected with the classic transfusion-transmitted infectious agents (TTIs; hepatitis B virus [HBV], HIV, human T-cell lymphotropic virus types I and II, hepatitis C virus [HCV]). Subsequently, progressive implementation of nucleic acid-amplification technology (NAT) screening for HIV, HCV, and HBV has reduced the residual risk of infectious-window-period donations, such that per unit risks are <1 in 1 000 000 in the United States, other high-income countries, and in high-incidence regions performing NAT. NAT screening has emerged as the preferred option for detection of newer TTIs including West Nile virus, Zika virus (ZIKV), and Babesia microti Although there is continual need to monitor current risks due to established TTI, ongoing challenges in blood safety relate primarily to surveillance for emerging agents coupled with development of rapid response mechanisms when such agents are identified. Recent progress in development and implementation of pathogen-reduction technologies (PRTs) provide the opportunity for proactive rather than reactive response to blood-safety threats. Risk-based decision-making tools and cost-effectiveness models have proved useful to quantify infectious risks and place new interventions in context. However, as evidenced by the 2015 to 2017 ZIKV pandemic, a level of tolerable risk has yet to be defined in such a way that conflicting factors (eg, theoretical recipient risk, blood availability, cost, and commercial interests) can be reconciled. A unified approach to TTIs is needed, whereby novel tests and PRTs replace, rather than add to, existing interventions, thereby ameliorating cost and logistical burden to blood centers and hospitals.

Economic Implications of Pathogen Reduced and Bacterially Tested Platelet Components: A US Hospital Budget Impact Model

BACKGROUND

US FDA draft guidance includes pathogen reduction (PR) or secondary rapid bacterial testing (RT) in its recommendations for mitigating risk of platelet component (PC) bacterial contamination. An interactive budget impact model was created for hospitals to use when considering these technologies.

METHODS

A Microsoft Excel model was built and populated with base-case costs and probabilities identified through literature search and a survey of US hospital transfusion service directors. Annual costs of PC acquisition, testing, wastage, dispensing/transfusion, sepsis, shelf life, and reimbursement for a mid-sized hospital that purchases all of its PCs were compared for four scenarios: 100% conventional PCs (C-PC), 100% RT-PC, 100% PR-PC, and 50% RT-PC/50% PR-PC.

RESULTS

Annual total costs were US$3.64, US$3.67, and US$3.96 million when all platelets were C-PC, RT-PC, or PR-PC, respectively, or US$3.81 million in the 50% RT-PC/50% PR-PC scenario. The annual net cost of PR-PC, obtained by subtracting annual reimbursements from annual total costs, is 6.18% above that of RT-PC. Maximum usable shelf lives for C-PC, RT-PC, and PR-PC are 3.0, 5.0, and 3.6 days, respectively; hospitals obtain PR-PC components earliest at 1.37 days.

CONCLUSION

The model predicts minimal cost increase for PR-PC versus RT-PC, including cost offsets such as elimination of bacterial detection and irradiation, and reimbursement. Additional safety provided by PR, including risk mitigation of transfusion-transmission of a broad spectrum of viruses, parasites, and emerging pathogens, may justify this increase. Effective PC shelf life may increase with RT, but platelets can be available sooner with PR due to elimination of bacterial detection, depending on blood center logistics.

Molecular Techniques for Blood and Blood Product Screening

Blood product safety is a high priority for manufacturing industries, hospitals, and regulatory agencies. An important step in ensuring safety is the screening of donated blood for infectious diseases. Molecular technologies for screening infectious diseases have improved remarkably over the years. Molecular biological assay significantly reduced the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. Unlike previous methods, molecular technologies for screening infectious diseases are specific, efficient, easy to use, and economical. A new era in molecular biology is coming to the field of blood safety.

Characterization of efficacy and safety of pathogen inactivated and quarantine plasma in routine use for treatment of acquired immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

BACKGROUND

Auto-immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a morbid multi-organ disorder. Cardiac involvement not recognized in initial disease descriptions is a major cause of morbidity. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) requires exposure to multiple plasma donors with risk of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI). Pathogen inactivation (PI) with amotosalen-UVA, the INTERCEPT Blood System for Plasma (IBSP) is licensed to reduce TTI risk.

METHODS

An open-label, retrospective study evaluated the efficacy of quarantine plasma (QP) and IBSP in TTP and defined treatment emergent cardiac abnormalities. Medical record review of sequential patient cohorts treated with QP and IBSP characterized efficacy by remission at 30 and 60 days (d) of treatment, time to remission, and volume (L/kg) of plasma required. Safety outcomes focused on cardiac adverse events (AE), relapse rates, and mortality.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (18 IBSP and 13 QP) met study criteria for auto-immune TTP. The proportions (%) of patients in remission at 30 d (IBSP = 61·1, QP = 46·2, P = 0·570) and 60 d (IBSP = 77·8, QP = 76·9, P = 1·00) were not different. Median days to remission were less for IBSP (15·0 vs. 24·0, P = 0·003). Relapse rates (%) 60 d after remission were not different between cohorts (IBSP = 7·1, QP = 40·0, P = 0·150). ECG abnormalities before and during TPE were frequent; however, cardiac AE and mortality were not different between treatment cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac and a spectrum of ECG findings are common in TTP. In this study, IBSP and QP had similar therapeutic profiles for TPE.

First detection of human hepegivirus-1 (HHpgV-1) in Iranian patients with hemophilia

A novel blood-borne virus called the human hepegivirus 1 (HHpgV-1) was recently discovered in hemophilia patients. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of HHpgV-1 in hemophilia patients. A total of 436 serum samples were investigated for the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), human pegivirus-1 (HPgV-1), torque teno virus (TTV), and HHpgV-1. Out of the 436 patients, 163 (37.4%), 19 (4.4%), 76 (17.4%), and four (0.9%) patients were positive for HCV, HPgV-1, TTV, and HHpgV-1, respectively. HHpgV-1 patients had a mean viral load of 4.9 ± 0.3 log RNA copies/mL and were co-infected with HCV-1a, HPgV-1, and TTV. Moreover, three HHpgV-1-positive patients exhibited stage F0 liver fibrosis. HCV viral load in HHpgV-1-positive patients was lower than those of HHpgV-1-negative patients. Results also revealed that co-infection of HHpgV-1 with HPgV-1 and HCV may play a protective role in patients with chronic HCV. In conclusion, we detected a low frequency of HHpgV-1 infection in hemophilia patients, and results suggested that HHpgV-1 infection was correlated with the presence of other blood-borne viruses and is likely to also correlate with low HCV viral load and reduced severity of liver disease. Additional studies are required to further investigate the clinical importance of HHpgV-1.

Red blood cells treated with the amustaline (S-303) pathogen reduction system: a transfusion study in cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

Nucleic acid-targeted pathogen inactivation technology using amustaline (S-303) and glutathione (GSH) was developed to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infectious disease and transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease with red blood cell (RBC) transfusion.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A randomized, double-blind, controlled study was performed to assess the in vitro characteristics of amustaline-treated RBCs (test) compared with conventional (control) RBCs and to evaluate safety and efficacy of transfusion during and after cardiac surgery. The primary device efficacy endpoint was the postproduction hemoglobin (Hb) content of RBCs. Exploratory clinical outcomes included renal and hepatic failure, the 6-minute walk test (a surrogate for cardiopulmonary function), adverse events (AEs), and the immune response to amustaline-treated RBCs.

RESULTS

A total of 774 RBC unis were produced. Mean treatment difference in Hb content was -2.27 g/unit (95% confidence interval, -2.61 to -1.92 g/unit), within the prespecified equivalence margins (±5 g/unit) to declare noninferiority. Amustaline-treated RBCs met European guidelines for Hb content, hematocrit, and hemolysis. Fifty-one (25 test and 26 control) patients received study RBCs. There were no significant differences in RBC usage or other clinical outcomes. Observed AEs were within the spectrum expected for patients of similar age undergoing cardiovascular surgery requiring RBCs transfusion. No patients exhibited an immune response specific to amustaline-treated RBCs.

CONCLUSION

Amustaline-treated RBCs demonstrated equivalence to control RBCs for Hb content, have appropriate characteristics for transfusion, and were well tolerated when transfused in support of acute anemia. Renal impairment was characterized as a potential efficacy endpoint for pivotal studies of RBC transfusion in cardiac surgery.

Improving the safety of whole blood-derived transfusion products with a riboflavin-based pathogen reduction technology

Worldwide safety of blood has been positively impacted by technological, economic and social improvements; nevertheless, growing socio-political changes of contemporary society together with environmental changes challenge the practice of blood transfusion with a continuous source of unforeseeable threats with the emergence and re-emergence of blood-borne pathogens. Pathogen reduction (PR) is a proactive strategy to mitigate the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. PR technologies for the treatment of single plasma units and platelet concentrates are commercially available and have been successfully implemented in more than 2 dozen countries worldwide. Ideally, all labile blood components should be PR treated to ensure a safe and sustainable blood supply in accordance with regional transfusion best practices. Recently, a device (Mirasol® Pathogen Reduction Technology System) for PR treatment of whole blood using riboflavin and UV light has received CE marking, a significant step forward in realising blood safety where WB transfusion is the norm, such as in sub-Saharan Africa and in far-forward combat situations. There is also keen interest in the ability to derive components from Mirasol®-treated whole blood, as it is seen as a more efficient and economical means to implement universal PR in the blood centre environment than treatment of components with different PR systems.

Will pathogen reduction of blood components harm more people than it helps in developed countries?

BACKGROUND

Blood-borne infectious diseases are a major impediment to the provision of safe blood. Pathogen reduction (PR) technologies have been approved for the treatment of plasma and platelet (PLT) concentrates to reduce infectious complications and graft-versus-host disease but product potency is adversely affected

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We reviewed published data describing PR technology for estimates of treated blood component physical and functional loss. These physical and functional losses were summed and projected onto measured effects of plasma and PLT dose in trauma resuscitation. The net benefits estimated as reduced infectious disease deaths were compared to net losses estimated as increased deaths from uncontrolled hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases caused five or fewer acute deaths each year from 2009 through 2014 in the United States according to the Food and Drug Administration. In-hospital deaths from uncontrolled hemorrhage after trauma number more than 10,000 yearly and are reduced by 4% to 15% with concentrated blood product resuscitation. The loss of 20% of plasma potency and 30% of PLT potency to PR is likely to be associated with 400 extra trauma deaths each year. Trauma represents a small fraction, perhaps 15%, of all massively transfused individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Resuscitation of massive hemorrhage may be limited by blood component potency as shown in our literature review and analysis. The safety-versus-potency trade involved with current blood plasma and PLT PR technology is likely to result in a net loss of life. Hemorrhagic risk from reduced blood product potency for patients with trauma and other indications for massive transfusion is an important consideration in risk-based decision making for implementing PR.

Re-examining blood donor deferral criteria relating to injecting drug use

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Potential Australian blood donors are deferred indefinitely if they report a history of injecting drug use (IDU), or for 12 months if they report having engaged in sexual activity with someone who might have ever injected. Given incremental improvements in blood safety, this study sought to examine whether Australia's IDU-related eligibility criteria reflected current scientific evidence, were consistent with international best practice and, if current IDU-related policies were to be changed, how this should happen.

METHODS

An expert committee was formed to review relevant literature with a focus on issues including: the epidemiology of IDU in Australia and key transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) among Australian people who inject drugs (PWID); and, 'non-compliance' among PWID regarding IDU-related blood donation guidelines. International policies relating to blood donation and IDU were also reviewed. Modelling with available data estimated the risk of TTIs remaining undetected if the Blood Service's IDU-related guidelines were changed.

RESULTS

Very few (<1%) Australians engage in IDU, and IDU risk practices are reported by only a minority of PWID. However, the prevalence of HCV remains high among PWID, and IDU remains a key transmission route for various TTIs. Insufficient data were available to inform appropriate estimates of cessation and relapse among Australian PWID. Modelling findings indicated that the risk of not detecting HIV becomes greater than the reference group at a threshold of non-admission of being an active PWID of around 1.8% (0.5-5.1%). Excluding Japan, all Organisation for the Economic Co-operation and Development member countries permanently exclude individuals with a history of IDU from donating.

CONCLUSION

Numerous research gaps meant that the study's expert Review Committee was unable to recommend altering Australia's current IDU-related blood donation guidelines. However, having identified critical knowledge gaps and future areas of research, the review made important steps toward changing the criteria.

Which is safer source plasma for manufacturing in China: apheresis plasma or recovered plasma?

BACKGROUND

In most countries, the plasma for derivative production includes two types of plasma, apheresis plasma (AP) and recovered plasma (RP). However, the plasma recovered from whole blood is not permitted for manufacture in China. Because of the lack of source plasma and the surplus of RP, the Chinese government is considering allowing RP as an equivalent source for the production of plasma derivatives. It is known that human blood can be contaminated by various infectious agents. The objective of the study was to evaluate if infectious risk would increase by enacting this policy.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The samples from the two types of blood donors from January 1 to December 31, 2013, were collected. Supplementary testing was conducted and the residual risk (RR) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the two types of blood donors and donations were calculated through the incidence-window period model. Prevalence of the markers of hepatitis E virus, hepatitis A virus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus, cytomegalovirus, B19, and West Nile virus was calculated.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found in the RR of the three pathogens in the two types of blood donors. However, after the quarantine period, the RR of HCV and HIV in AP was significantly lower than that in RP. A quarantine period of 2 years will make the infectious risk of RP not significantly different than that of AP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that allowing RP to be used for the manufacture of plasma derivatives will not increase its infectious disease risk if coupled with a 2-year inventory hold.

Emerging Infectious Diseases and Blood Safety: Modeling the Transfusion-Transmission Risk

While the transfusion-transmission (TT) risk associated with the major transfusion-relevant viruses such as HIV is now very low, during the last 20 years there has been a growing awareness of the threat to blood safety from emerging infectious diseases, a number of which are known to be, or are potentially, transfusion transmissible. Two published models for estimating the transfusion-transmission risk from EIDs, referred to as the Biggerstaff-Petersen model and the European Upfront Risk Assessment Tool (EUFRAT), respectively, have been applied to several EIDs in outbreak situations. We describe and compare the methodological principles of both models, highlighting their similarities and differences. We also discuss the appropriateness of comparing results from the two models. Quantitating the TT risk of EIDs can inform decisions about risk mitigation strategies and their cost-effectiveness. Finally, we present a qualitative risk assessment for Zika virus (ZIKV), an EID agent that has caused several outbreaks since 2007. In the latest and largest ever outbreak, several probable cases of transfusion-transmission ZIKV have been reported, indicating that it is transfusion-transmissible and therefore a risk to blood safety. We discuss why quantitative modeling the TT risk of ZIKV is currently problematic.

•

During the last 20 years there has been a growing awareness of the threat to blood safety from emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), a number of which are known to be, or are potentially, transfusion-transmissible.

•

The transfusion-transmission risk of EID agents can be estimated by risk modeling which can form an important part of risk assessments and inform decisions regarding risk mitigation strategies.

•

We describe and compare the methodological principles of two published risk models for estimating the transfusion transmission risk of EIDs.

•

We use Zika virus as a case study to demonstrate that reliable risk modeling for EID agents can be problematic due to the uncertainty of the input parameters.

The Prevention of Periprosthetic Joint Infections

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total joint arthroplasty (TJA) adversely affects patient quality of life and health status, and places a huge financial burden on the health care. The first step in combating this complication is prevention, which may include implementation of strategies during the preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative period. Optimization of the patient with appreciation of the modifiable and non-modifiable factors is crucial. Preoperative optimization involves medical optimization of patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, anemia, malnutrition and other conditions that may predispose the patient to PJI. Among the intraoperative strategies, administration of appropriate and timely antibiotics, blood conservation, gentle soft tissue handling, and expeditious surgery in an ultra clean operating room are among the most effective strategies. During the postoperative period, all efforts should be made to minimize ingress or proliferation of bacteria at the site of the index arthroplasty from draining the wound and hematoma formation. Although the important role of some preventative measures is known, further research is needed to evaluate the role of unproven measures that are currently employed and to devise further strategies for prevention of this feared complication.

Research on the human virome: where are we and what is next

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health convened a Working Group on the Microbiome in Cardiovascular, Pulmonary and Hematologic Health and Diseases from June 25, 2014, to June 26, 2014. The Working Group's central goal was to define what major microbiome research areas warranted additional study in the context of heart, lung, and blood (HLB) diseases. The Working Group identified studies of the human virome a key priority.

Blood-Borne Pathogens: A Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation Symposium

Testing donations for pathogens and deferring selected blood donors have reduced the risk of transmission of known pathogens by transfusion to extremely low levels in most developed countries. Protecting the blood supply from emerging infectious threats remains a serious concern in the transfusion medicine community. Transfusion services can employ indirect measures such as surveillance, hemovigilance, and donor questioning (defense), protein-, or nucleic acid based direct testing (detection), or pathogen inactivation of blood products (destruction) as strategies to mitigate the risk of transmission-transmitted infection. In the North American context, emerging threats currently include dengue, chikungunya, and hepatitis E viruses, and Babesia protozoan parasites. The 2003 SARS and 2014 Ebola outbreaks illustrate the potential of epidemics unlikely to be transmitted by blood transfusion but disruptive to blood systems. Donor-free blood products such as ex vivo generated red blood cells offer a theoretical way to avoid transmission-transmitted infection risk, although biological, engineering, and manufacturing challenges must be overcome before this approach becomes practical. Similarly, next generation sequencing of all nucleic acid in a blood sample is currently possible but impractical for generalized screening. Pathogen inactivation systems are in use in different jurisdictions around the world, and are starting to gain regulatory approval in North America. Cost concerns make it likely that pathogen inactivation will be contemplated by blood operators through the lens of health economics and risk-based decision making, rather than in zero-risk paradigms previously embraced for transfusable products. Defense of the blood supply from infectious disease risk will continue to require innovative combinations of surveillance, detection, and pathogen avoidance or inactivation.

•

A symposium on blood-borne pathogens was held September 26, 2015, in Toronto, Canada.

•

Transmission-transmitted infections remain a threat to the blood supply.

•

The residual risk from established pathogens is small; emerging agents are a concern.

•

Next generation sequencing and donor-free blood are not yet practical approaches.

•

Pathogen inactivation technology is being increasingly used around the world.

•

Health economic concerns will likely guide future advances in this area.

Current concepts in the prevention of pathogen transmission via blood/plasma-derived products for bleeding disorders

The pathogen safety of blood/plasma-derived products has historically been a subject of significant concern to the medical community. Measures such as donor selection and blood screening have contributed to increase the safety of these products, but pathogen transmission does still occur. Reasons for this include lack of sensitivity/specificity of current screening methods, lack of reliable screening tests for some pathogens (e.g. prions) and the fact that many potentially harmful infectious agents are not routinely screened for. Methods for the purification/inactivation of blood/plasma-derived products have been developed in order to further reduce the residual risk, but low concentrations of pathogens do not necessarily imply a low level of risk for the patient and so the overall challenge of minimising risk remains. This review aims to discuss the variable level of pathogenic risk and describes the current screening methods used to prevent/detect the presence of pathogens in blood/plasma-derived products.

Involvement of transfusion unit staff in the informed consent process

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Obtaining informed consent (IC) for a blood transfusion is an absolute requirement. In this study, we compared the depth of understanding of blood transfusion among patients with or without an explanation by the transfusion unit staff and evaluated the usefulness of this intervention in obtaining IC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Expert staff from the transfusion unit started to provide patients with a basic explanation of blood transfusion (intervention group, n = 129). The efficacy of this strategy was assessed by comparison with explanation given by the primary doctors only (conventional group, n = 31). We performed a questionnaire survey to analyze the length of time spent providing information of blood transfusion and the depth of understanding of blood transfusion in the two groups.

RESULTS

The median time in providing information in the conventional and intervention groups was 6 and 20 minutes, respectively (P < 0.0001). Patients in the intervention group had a better understanding of several key points on blood transfusion than those in the conventional group.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that expert staff from the transfusion unit should be involved in obtaining IC for a blood transfusion. Patients who were provided information by transfusion unit staff were more likely to have a better understanding of the risks and benefits of transfusion.

Blood donor selection in European Union directives: room for improvement

BACKGROUND

Transfusion-transmissible infections have made both blood bankers and health authorities overly cautious. The general public expects and hence reinforces this policy. To obtain a high level of blood product safety, blood and plasma donors have to meet increasingly stringent eligibility criteria; however, it is not known whether this policy translates into improved outcomes for patients. There is a risk that the management of donors does not match the ambition of greater safety for patients. European directives related to the collection process and donor selection will probably be reconsidered in the next few years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The development of European directives on donor selection and their basis in the literature were reviewed with an emphasis on the background and considerations for eligibility criteria to be included in the directives.

RESULTS

The precautionary principle appears to be the predominant reason behind the set of eligibility criteria. However, the formal eligibility criteria, put into force in 2004, do not balance with the developments of the past decade in laboratory tests and measures that have substantially reduced actual infection risks. In no cases were the effects of eligibility criteria on the donor pool and donor well-being quantified. Regional differences in the epidemiology of transfusion-transmissible infections were not taken into consideration either.

DISCUSSION

First, the Authors promote the collection of epidemiological data on the incidence and prevalence of conditions in the general population and in blood and plasma donors which could pose a risk for transfused patients, in order to use these data as a basis for decision-making in donor-selection policies. Second, the Authors suggest including allowance for differential deferral criteria throughout Europe, based on factual risk levels. There should be an accepted balance between donor and patient welfare, and also between risk to transfusion safety and risk of compromising the blood supply.