Assessing reagents and techniques for identifying RhCE variants in routine serological testing.

Background And Objectives: Identifying RhCE variants is essential to prevent alloimmunization and manage complex cases. Unfortunately, these variants are often only detected after antibody formation, as they may go unnoticed in serological tests. This study aimed to assess monoclonal antisera using various methodologies to define the reactivity patterns of some variants by variable expression of RhCE antigens.

Assessment of amino acids and metabolites in the supernatant of stored concentrates blood from sickle cell trait (SCT) and reference (non-SCT) donors.

Background And Objectives: Sickle cell trait (SCT) persons are significant donors, and discarding these blood units reduces their supplies, mainly in the third-world countries. This work focused on 12 metabolites associated with the red blood cell (RBC) storage lesion and 23 amino acids in the supernatants of packed RBC units from SCT and reference (non-SCT) donors stored in the same conditions.

Materials And Methods: All samples of RBC concentrates were collected and separated from the storage of Colsan (Beneficient Association of Blood Collection), where they were routinely processed and separated as packed RBC units and stored in the refrigerator (2°-6°C).

Optimization of red blood cell unit storage during SARS-COV-2 Pandemic: adopting new strategies to ensure supply in a decentralized blood bank in Brazil.

Introduction: As coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) spread worldwide and social restrictions were intensified, difficulties in blood supply were expected to result in a shortage of blood donors, logistic issues and a change in blood consumption. Consequences could be detrimental to the meeting of the blood supply demand, especially in a decentralized blood bank in the State of São Paulo responsible for providing blood to more than 100 hospitals, mostly of the public health system. Aiming to minimize negative effects and focusing on maintenance of the blood supply, a different approach was discussed and adopted.

Serologic strategy in detecting RHD altered alleles in Brazilian blood donors.

Background: We evaluated different technological approaches and anti-D clones to propose the most appropriate serologic strategy in detecting the largest numbers of D variants in blood donors.

Methods: We selected 101 samples from Brazilian blood donors with different expressions of D in our donor routine. The tests were performed in immediate spin (IS) with eleven commercially available anti-D reagents in a tube and microplate.

Correlation among automated scores of agglutination, antigen density by flow cytometry and genetics of D variants.

Background: Laboratory testing to identify the molecular basis of serologic weak D phenotypes is recommended to determine whether a pregnant woman or potential transfusion recipient should be managed as RhD-positive or RhD-negative. The variation in D antigen expression on RBCs, different potencies of anti-D typing reagents, lack of standardized test methods, and the subjectivity of interpreting agglutination reactions complicate the detection of D variants. We evaluated the correlation of agglutination scores by an automated immunoassay analyzer with D antigen densities determined by flow cytometry, and D variant types identified by molecular analysis.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Background: Hodgkin's lymphoma has high rates of cure, but in 15% to 20% of general patients and between 35% and 40% of those in advanced stages, the disease will progress or will relapse after initial treatment. For this group, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is considered one option of salvage therapy.

Objectives: To evaluate a group of 106 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, who suffered relapse or who were refractory to treatment, submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a single transplant center.

High prevalence of celiac disease in Brazilian blood donor volunteers based on screening by IgA antitissue transglutaminase antibody.

Objective: To study the prevalence of celiac disease among blood donor volunteers based on screening by IgA antitissue transglutaminase antibody, followed by a confirmatory small intestine biopsy.

Methods: The transversal study involved 3000 potential blood donors, residing in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The participants were gender divided into 1500 men and 1500 women, with an average age 34.