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Niederhauser C, Galel SA. Transfusion-Transmitted Malaria and Mitigation Strategies in Nonendemic Regions. Transfus Med Hemother 2022; 49:205-217. [PMID: 36159954 PMCID: PMC9421689 DOI: 10.1159/000525414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. These parasites can be transmitted by blood transfusion especially through Red Cell Blood Concentrates collected from asymptomatic and parasitemic donors. As migration of populations from endemic areas to Europe and overseas recreational travel to endemic regions increase, there is growing risk of transfusion-transmitted malaria (TTM) in nonendemic regions of the world. The present work provides an overview of the mitigation strategies in nonendemic countries and their effectiveness and discusses possible approaches to evolve the strategies in order to maintain both a safe and adequate blood supply. Summary The historical and current situation of malaria and TTM in Europe and on the North American continent are described. The infectivity of Plasmodium in blood components and the consequences of TTM are presented, along with the regulations and guidelines for TTM mitigation in Europe, USA, and Canada. The regulations/guidelines currently in place in Europe allow a certain amount of leeway for local policies. A questionnaire was used to survey European countries regarding their current strategies and recent TTM cases. From the questionnaire and published cases, approximately 20 cases of TTM were identified in the past 20 years in the USA and Europe. The vast majority of implicated donors have been former residents of malaria-endemic areas, particularly former residents of hyperendemic areas in Africa. The most recent TTM cases are discussed in detail to provide insight into the gaps in current strategies. The utility and uncertainties of pathogen reduction and serological and molecular testing methods are discussed. Key Messages Overall, the risk of transfusion-associated malaria in nonendemic countries is considered to be low and very few TTM cases occurred in these regions in the last 20 years. The questionnaire-based strategy with questions about risk in relation to malaria exposure with or without selective testing based on questioning seems to be relatively effective, although rare and sometimes fatal transmissions still occur. An outstanding question is whether in the future molecular methods may further improve the safety of blood products and help constrain the loss of donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Niederhauser
- Interregional Blood Transfusion SRC, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute for Infectious Disease, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- *Christoph Niederhauser,
| | - Susan A. Galel
- Roche Diagnostics Solutions, Pleasanton, California, USA
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Niederhauser C, Tinguely C, Dreier J, Vollmer T, Marti HP, Nickel B, Klemens JM, Warnecke JM, Gowland P. Comparison of a New IgG-EIA for the Detection of Anti-Plasmodium Antibodies with Two Currently Used Assays. Transfus Med Hemother 2021; 48:265-271. [PMID: 34803570 DOI: 10.1159/000515842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. As migration of populations from endemic areas to Europe and overseas recreational travel to endemic regions increase, there is also a growing risk of transfusion-transmitted tropical diseases by blood components. Material and Methods In the present study two routine Plasmodium spp. ELISA (CAPTIA™ Malaria EIA, Trinity Biotech, and Malaria EIA, BioRad) were compared with a new commercial ELISA (ELISA IgG, EUROIMMUN). From December 1, 2015 until November 30, 2016, 1,096 plasma samples from blood donors with a potential risk of malaria infection were collected at two blood transfusion centres in Germany and Switzerland. Results The samples were tested comparatively with the ELISA from EUROIMMUN and the routine test used at the respective centre. Thirty-four of 595 (5.7%) tested blood samples from centre 1 and 49 of 501 (9.8%) tested blood samples from centre 2 showed reactivity on either or both ELISAs. All 83 reactive samples were sent for confirmation to the Diagnostic Centre of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) in Basel, Switzerland. Sixteen samples, which previously were reactive in the routine Plasmodium spp. EIA assays, were proven positive after confirmation testing (i.e., 4 positive and 12 inconclusive results), indicating an anti-Plasmodium antibody prevalence in blood donations of 1.5%. From these 16 reactive samples, 13 were also detected by the index test, resulting in an assay sensitivity of 81.2%. A specificity of 98.6% was calculated (1,065/1,080 confirmed negative samples). The overall agreement with the reference centre was 95.8% in centre 1 and 94% in centre 2. Conclusion The comparison of the new EUROIMMUN ELISA and the established CAPTIA™ Malaria EIA (Trinity Biotech) and Malaria EIA (BioRad) used for routine blood donor screening in two laboratory blood donation centres revealed that all tested ELISAs show comparable sensitivities and are equally suitable for anti-Plasmodium antibody screening in blood banks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Niederhauser
- Interregional Blood Transfusion SRC, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Faculté de Biologie et de Médecine, Université de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Jens Dreier
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Tanja Vollmer
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Hans Peter Marti
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Beatrice Nickel
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julia Maria Klemens
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jens Miguel Warnecke
- Institute for Experimental Immunology, EUROIMMUN Medizinische Labordiagnostika AG, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Peter Gowland
- Interregional Blood Transfusion SRC, Bern, Switzerland
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Crowder LA, Wendel S, Bloch EM, O'Brien SF, Delage G, Sauleda S, Leiby DA. International survey of strategies to mitigate transfusion-transmitted Trypanosoma cruzi in non-endemic countries, 2016-2018. Vox Sang 2021; 117:58-63. [PMID: 34111301 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is endemic to Mexico, Central and South America. While initially limited to the Americas, emigration of infected persons triggered geographically broader blood safety challenges. To mitigate transfusion-transmitted Chagas (TTC), transfusion services implemented approaches including risk factor questions and serologic testing. We sought to understand and compare strategies in non-endemic countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS Transfusion services in International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT)-affiliated organizations and members of the ISBT Working Party on Transfusion-Transmitted Infectious Diseases were invited to complete an online survey on T. cruzi mitigation strategies. The survey queried about cases of TTC, risk factors, testing methodology, educational materials, pathogen reduction, donor/product management, donor deferral and perceived public health concerns surrounding TTC. RESULTS Responses were received from 27 institutions in 22 countries. Most countries (77.3%) reported no historical TTC cases, while 18.2% reported 1-5 cases and 4.5% reported 6-10 cases. Concern about Chagas among the general public and public health authorities was low, but 12 of 25 blood centres reported moderate/high concern. Overall, 17 countries mitigated for TTC: 15 used risk factor questions and 10tested for T. cruzi antibodies. Ten countries used pathogen reduction but not specifically to prevent TTC. CONCLUSION While Chagas is rarely cited as a public health concern, blood centres in many non-endemic countries, including those outside the Americas, implemented measures to mitigate risk. Mitigation focussed on risk factors associated with Latin American immigrants and serologic testing. Thus, despite the rarity of TTC, many non-endemic countries continue to address it as an ongoing blood safety risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Crowder
- American Red Cross, Scientific Affairs, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Evan M Bloch
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheila F O'Brien
- Epidemiology and Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gilles Delage
- Medical Affairs - Microbiology, Héma-Québec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Silvia Sauleda
- Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Catalonian Blood Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya), Barcelona, Spain
| | - David A Leiby
- US Food and Drug Administration, CBER/OBRR, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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John-Olabode S, Awolesi I, Olorunfemi G, Ajie I, Oyedeji O, Akanmu A. Prevalence and factors associated with parvovirus B19 infection among blood donors: A hospital-based study in South-West, Nigeria. NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.4103/njm.njm_6_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Reynolds CA, Cieply L, Sell J, Brailsford SR. Who do we gain? Enhancement of blood supplies by additional testing for donors who travel. Transfus Med 2019; 29:325-331. [PMID: 31347219 DOI: 10.1111/tme.12620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/OBJECTIVES To describe the impact of additional testing on the England blood supply. BACKGROUND The blood service for England, NHS Blood and Transplant, applies a system of deferral and testing to donors with potential exposure to Chagas disease, malaria and West Nile virus; however, testing costs must be justified. Here, we describe the donations and donors gained by testing. METHODS Donation testing results and demographic data on donors in England where additional testing was applied were analysed in 2012-2016. The total number and proportion of donations tested, reactive and confirmed positive were calculated. Proportions of donors requiring additional tests were calculated by ethnic group for first-time and repeat donors. RESULTS Additional testing for travel was applied to 3·5% of NHSBT blood donations between 2012 and 2016. Over 98% of these tests were non-reactive. Only malaria tests were confirmed positive, in 1·7% of donations tested. In first-time donors, 45 and 40% of Asian and Black donors required an additional test, respectively, mainly for malaria. Testing for West Nile virus increased from 1·5% in 2012 to 2·2% of donations in 2016. CONCLUSION The majority of additional tests were screened negative, allowing approximately 64 000 donations to be released for issue annually. Donors most affected by malaria testing were more likely to have rare blood groups and be targeted for recruitment, whereas those given West Nile virus testing were mainly regular donors required for continuity of supply. These data show differences in the characteristics of donors by test and can be used to inform decisions about additional testing and deferrals.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Reynolds
- NHS Blood and Transplant/Public Health England Epidemiology Unit, NHS Blood and Transplant, London, UK
| | - L Cieply
- NHS Blood and Transplant/Public Health England Epidemiology Unit, NHS Blood and Transplant, London, UK
| | - J Sell
- NHS Blood and Transplant, Bristol, UK
| | - S R Brailsford
- NHS Blood and Transplant/Public Health England Epidemiology Unit, NHS Blood and Transplant, London, UK
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Abstract
Migration is increasing and practitioners need to be aware of the unique health needs of this population. The prevalence of infectious diseases among migrants varies and generally mirrors that of their countries of origin, but is modified by the circumstance of migration, the presence of pre-arrival screening programs and post arrival access to health care. To optimize the health of migrants practitioners; (1) should take all opportunities to screen migrants at risk for latent infections such as tuberculosis, chronic hepatitis B and C, HIV, strongyloidiasis, schistosomiasis and Chagas disease, (2) update routine vaccines in all age groups and, (3) be aware of "rare and tropical infections" related to migration and return travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Greenaway
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Jewish General Hospital, Room E0057, 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada; Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec H3T 1E2, Canada; J.D. MacLean Center for Tropical Diseases at McGill, McGill University Health Centre, Glen Site, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Francesco Castelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Piazza del Mercato, 15, Lombardy, Brescia 25121, Italy; UNESCO Chair "Training and Empowering Human Resources for Health Development in Resource-Limited Countries", University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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Leiby DA, O'Brien SF, Wendel S, Nguyen ML, Delage G, Devare SG, Hardiman A, Nakhasi HL, Sauleda S, Bloch EM. International survey on the impact of parasitic infections: frequency of transmission and current mitigation strategies. Vox Sang 2018; 114:17-27. [PMID: 30523642 DOI: 10.1111/vox.12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Globally, blood safety interventions have been successful in mitigating risk of the major transfusion-transmitted (TT) viruses. However, strategies that address risk from parasites are comparatively limited. TT parasites are often regional in nature, posing unique challenges; we sought to understand their impact on blood safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS An electronic questionnaire was distributed to transfusion medicine leaders in 100 countries. The survey focused on specific questions pertaining to four parasitic diseases: babesiosis, Chagas, leishmaniasis and malaria. Respondents provided data on historical TT cases, local epidemiology, policies to mitigate risk and an assessment of public health perceptions for each aetiologic agent. RESULTS Twenty-eight (28%) surveys were returned from countries in Europe (n = 13), the Americas (n = 6), Africa (n = 4), Asia (n = 3) and Oceana (n = 2). Historically, no cases of TT leishmaniasis were reported, TT babesiosis was exclusive to Canada and the USA, TT Chagas was limited to the Americas and Spain, while TT malaria was cosmopolitan. Mitigation efforts varied widely; malaria was the most frequently tested parasitic disease. The public's perception of risk for parasitic agents was low, while that of health authorities in endemic countries was higher. CONCLUSION The global impact of parasitic infections on blood safety and related mitigation efforts varied widely by parasite epidemiology, test availability, public health priorities and socioeconomic constraints. While parasites continue to pose a risk to blood safety, the successful mitigation of viral risk has elevated the prominence of TT parasites in many locations, thereby requiring consideration of mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Leiby
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Sheila F O'Brien
- Epidemiology and Surveillance, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, USA
| | | | - Megan L Nguyen
- Transmissible Diseases Department, American Red Cross Holland Laboratory, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Gilles Delage
- Medical Affairs, Microbiology, Héma-Quebec, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Silvia Sauleda
- Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Catalonian Blood Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Evan M Bloch
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Niederhauser C. [Transfusion-transmitted Infections: How Useful and Costly is Testing for new Infectious Disease Pathogens?]. PRAXIS 2018; 107:521-529. [PMID: 29690842 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a002967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung. Bis Anfang der 1990er Jahre waren Blutprodukte nicht selten mit HIV oder HCV kontaminiert, was zu vielen transfusionsbedingten Infektionen führte. Seither wurde die Sicherheit von Blutprodukten in Bezug auf die Infektionsübertragung mit aufwendigen Massnahmen stark erhöht. Aktuell stehen sogenannte (re)emerging-Infektionserreger im Fokus, beispielsweise West Nile-, Zika- und Hepatitis-E-Viren. Ob und wie sich neue Massnahmen, die eine Übertragung dieser Viren verhindern sollen, kosteneffizient einführen lassen, muss mit klar definierten Vorgaben abgeklärt werden. Der entsprechende Entscheid muss gemeinsam mit den involvierten Stakeholdern und auch aufgrund von Kosten-Nutzen-Überlegungen getroffen werden. Grundsätzlich gilt, dass es eine 100-prozentige Sicherheit in Bezug auf die Übertragung von Infektionserregern mit Blutprodukten nie geben wird.
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Antinori S, Galimberti L, Bianco R, Grande R, Galli M, Corbellino M. Chagas disease in Europe: A review for the internist in the globalized world. Eur J Intern Med 2017; 43:6-15. [PMID: 28502864 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2017.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Revised: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) or American trypanosomiasis identified in 1909 by Carlos Chagas, has become over the last 40years a global health concern due to the huge migration flows from Latin America to Europe, United States, Canada and Japan. In Europe, most migrants from CD-endemic areas are concentrated in Spain, Italy, France, United Kingdom and Switzerland. Pooled seroprevalence studies conducted in Europe show an overall 4.2% prevalence, with the highest infection rates observed among individuals from Bolivia (18.1%). However, in most European countries the disease is neglected with absence of screening programmes and low access to diagnosis and treatment. Physicians working in Europe should also be aware of the risk of autochthonous transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi to newborns by their infected mothers and to recipients of blood or transplanted organs from infected donors. Finally, physicians should be able to recognize and treat the most frequent and serious complications of chronic Chagas disease, namely cardiomyopathy, megacolon and megaesophagus. This review aims to highlights the problem of CD in Europe by reviewing papers published by European researchers on this argument, in order to raise the awareness of internists who are bound to increasingly encounter patients with the disease in their routine daily activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spinello Antinori
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milano, Italy; III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy.
| | - Laura Galimberti
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Bianco
- Department of Radiology, Luigi Sacco Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Romualdo Grande
- Clinical Microbiology, Virology and Bioemergence Diagnostics, Luigi Sacco Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Galli
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "Luigi Sacco", University of Milano, Italy; III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Corbellino
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
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Lin H, Zhu S, Zhu S, Shao L, Zhu N, Huang C, Sun J. Selective malaria antibody screening among eligible blood donors in Jiangsu, China. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2017; 59:e43. [PMID: 28793014 PMCID: PMC5553941 DOI: 10.1590/s1678-9946201759043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of transfusion-transmitted malaria is a major concern in many countries.
This study investigated the prevalence of malaria antibodies and parasitemia in
eligible blood donors in Jiangsu, in Eastern China. Malaria antibodies were detected
in 2.13% of the 704 plasma samples studied. We found that the prevalence of malaria
antibodies was not significantly correlated with gender, occupation and frequency of
donation, but it increased with age. No Plasmodium was observed in
red blood cells and no Plasmodium DNA was detected in any of the
antibody-positive samples. The prevalence of malaria antibodies was not higher than
expected in Eastern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lin
- Jiangsu Province Blood Center, Nanjing, China
| | - Shaowen Zhu
- Jiangsu Province Blood Center, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Lei Shao
- Jiangsu Province Blood Center, Nanjing, China
| | - Nan Zhu
- Jiangsu Province Blood Center, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Jun Sun
- Jiangsu Province Blood Center, Nanjing, China
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Dreier J, Hennig H. New Diagnostic Strategies in Infection Safety: The (R)evolution? Transfus Med Hemother 2016; 43:155-6. [PMID: 27403086 DOI: 10.1159/000446519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Dreier
- Institute for Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine Westphalia, University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Holger Hennig
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
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