Transfusion support and pre-transfusion testing in autoimmune haemolytic anaemia.

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is characterized by an increased destruction of red blood cells due to immune dysfunction and auto-antibody production. Clinical manifestations are mainly related to anaemia, which can become life-threatening in case of acute haemolysis. Aiming at counterbalancing severe anaemia, supportive treatments for these patients frequently include transfusions.

[Is there a place for granulocytes transfusions in 2023 ?].

Despite modern antimicrobial treatments, bacterial and fungal infections remain major complications in neutropenic patients. Granulocyte transfusions appeared in the 1950s-60s but first clinical trials were limited by the difficulty of transfusing enough viable granulocytes. The refinement of apheresis techniques as well as donor pretreatment with corticosteroids and/or granulocyte colony-stimulating growth factor (G-CSF) have led to improved collection yield.

HLA-C*05:292N, a novel HLA-C null allele identified by next-generation sequencing.

HLA-C*05:292N differs from HLA-C*05:01:01:08 by a frameshift mutation, a deletion at gDNA position 758.

A reactive monocyte subset characterized by low expression of CD91 is expanded during sterile and septic inflammation.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to assess CD91 expression on monocytes and changes in monocyte subset distribution during acute tissue damage and bloodstream infection (BSI).

Methods: We investigated blood specimens from healthy individuals, trauma and cardiac surgery patients as a model of tissue damage, and patients with BSI, by flow cytometry using a panel of antibodies comprising CD45, HLA-DR, CD14, CD16 and CD91 for the identification of monocyte subsets.

Results: While infrequent in healthy subjects, CD91low/neg monocyte levels were markedly high in BSI, trauma and after cardiac surgery.

Convalescent Plasma for Covid-19-Induced ARDS in Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

Background: Passive immunization with plasma collected from convalescent patients has been regularly used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Minimal data are available regarding the use of convalescent plasma in patients with Covid-19-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: In this open-label trial, we randomly assigned adult patients with Covid-19-induced ARDS who had been receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for less than 5 days in a 1:1 ratio to receive either convalescent plasma with a neutralizing antibody titer of at least 1:320 or standard care alone.