Impact of input volume on red cell quality in deglycerolized RBCs using a modified ACP-215 protocol.

Background: The ACP 215 automated cell processor is used to glycerolize and deglycerolize red cell concentrates (RCCs). Its primary advantage over the COBE 2991, previously used to cryopreserve RCCs, is that it maintains a closed system enabling extended post-thaw expiry. However, it was observed that post-deglycerolization hematocrits (Hct) of units processed with the LN236 kit are markedly lower than those processed using the COBE 2991.

Comparable bacterial growth in platelet concentrates suspended in plasma and platelet additive solution and improved detection of bacterial contamination using a new generation automated culture system.

Background: Microbial screening of platelet concentrates (PC) with automated culture methods is widely implemented to reduce septic transfusion reactions. Herein, detection of bacterial contamination in PC was compared between units prepared in plasma and a mix of plasma and platelet additive solution (PAS) and between the BACT/ALERT 3D and next generation BACT/ALERT VIRTUO systems.

Study Design/methods: Double apheresis units were split into single units, diluted in either PAS (PAS-PC) or plasma (plasma-PC), and tested for in vitro quality and sterility prior to spiking with ~30 CFU/unit of Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens, and Klebsiella pneumoniae or ~10 CFU/mL of Cutibacterium acnes.

Closed system processing variables affect post-thaw quality characteristics of cryopreserved red cell concentrates.

Background: Differences in manufacturing conditions using the Haemonetics ACP 215 cell processor result in cryopreserved red cell concentrates (RCCs) of varying quality. This work studied the effect of processing method, additive solution, and storage duration on RCC quality to identify an optimal protocol for the manufacture of cryopreserved RCCs.

Materials And Methods: RCCs were pooled-and-split and stored for 7, 14, or 21 days before cryopreservation.

Preparing small-dose red cell concentrates (RCCs) for neonatal and pediatric transfusions: Impact of RCC volume, storage, and irradiation.

Background: Preparing small-dose red cell concentrates (RCCs) is a common practice for pediatric and neonatal transfusions. However, there is a lack of quality monitoring data to indicate that both the preparation and storage of small-dose RCCs does not alter in vitro red cell quality. The present study seeks to provide data to support this practice.

Automated closed volume reduction process for apheresis stem cell grafts: From development to clinical implementation.

Background: Collection of HPC by apheresis (HPC-A) can sometimes result in higher collection volumes, increasing the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) volume infused into patients and the space requirements in liquid nitrogen freezers. Volume reduction prior to the addition of cryoprotectant is an efficient means to reduce the DMSO load infused into patients and to optimize freezer storage space.

Study Design And Methods: To implement a closed semi-automated volume reduction process, a method was developed to produce leukocyte-rich mock apheresis products using buffy coats derived from whole blood collections.

Retention of hemostatic and immunological properties of frozen plasma and COVID-19 convalescent apheresis fresh-frozen plasma produced and freeze-dried in Canada.

Background: Randomized clinical trial data show that early plasma transfusion may save lives among trauma patients. Supplying plasma in remote environments is logistically challenging. Freeze-dried plasma (FDP) offers a possible solution.

Challenging the 30-min rule for thawed plasma.

Background And Objectives: Frozen plasma (FP) is thawed prior to transfusion and stored for ≤5 days at 1-6°C. The effect of temperature excursions on the quality and safety of thawed plasma during 5-day storage was determined.

Materials And Methods: Four plasma units were pooled, split and stored at ≤-18°C for ≤90 days.

Hypothermic storage of leukoreduced red blood cells for greater than 21 days is a safe alternative to irradiation.

Background: Irradiation of red blood cells (RBCs) inactivates residual donor T lymphocytes to prevent transfusion-associated graft-vs-host disease (TA-GVHD) but can have adverse effects on recipients and inventory management. Reported incidence of TA-GVHD is lower when leukoreduced RBCs and older blood products are transfused; therefore, the impact of leukoreduction and storage was evaluated as an alternative prevention strategy.

Study Design And Methods: Effectiveness of leukoreduction filters on white blood cell (WBC) proliferation was evaluated by filtering buffy coat (BC) products and isolating residual WBCs.

Transient warming affects potency of cryopreserved cord blood units.

Background Aims: Cryopreserved cord blood units (CBUs) can be exposed to transient warming events (TWEs) during routine banking operations, which may affect their potency. NetCord-FACT guidelines recommend removal of these CBUs from inventory. The objective of this work was to evaluate warming kinetics of frozen CBUs in different settings to determine the optimal working environment and define the impact of different TWE scenarios on CB post-thaw quality and potency.

Evaluating the quality of red blood cell concentrates irradiated before or after cryopreservation.

Background: Cryopreserved red blood cell concentrates (RCCs) are often required for patients with rare blood groups. Although transfusions from blood relatives are irradiated before transfusion, research has yet to make clear if this is necessary in cryopreserved RCCs. Given insufficient evidence to the contrary, irradiation of cryopreserved RCCs has been recommended, but the effect of irradiation timing is unknown.

Impact of blood manufacturing and donor characteristics on membrane water permeability and in vitro quality parameters during hypothermic storage of red blood cells.

Several factors have been proposed to influence the red blood cell storage lesion including storage duration, blood component manufacturing methodology, and donor characteristics [1,18]. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of manufacturing method and donor characteristics on water permeability and membrane quality parameters. Red blood cell units were obtained from volunteer blood donors and grouped according to the manufacturing method and donor characteristics of sex and age.

Genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms in human genomic DNA with an automated and self-contained PCR cassette.

Point-of-care devices can lower costs through reduced reagent costs, shifting diagnostics from centralized laboratories to local clinics or hospitals, rapidly informing on the spot medical decision making, and enabling personalized treatment options. We have previously described a self-contained miniaturized device that uses an array of gel-based reaction units that can simultaneously detect multiple biomarkers and/or multiple patients in one PCR cassette and can be stored for up to 7 months. In this article, we document the ability of cassette PCR to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human genomic DNA from buccal swabs.

A lab-on-chip for malaria diagnosis and surveillance.

Background: Access to timely and accurate diagnostic tests has a significant impact in the management of diseases of global concern such as malaria. While molecular diagnostics satisfy this need effectively in developed countries, barriers in technology, reagent storage, cost and expertise have hampered the introduction of these methods in developing countries. In this study a simple, lab-on-chip PCR diagnostic was created for malaria that overcomes these challenges.