Zika virus and blood transfusion: the experience of French Polynesia.

Background: Between October 2013 and March 2014, French Polynesia experienced the largest Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak ever described before the emergence of ZIKV in the Americas in 2015. As arbovirus transfusion-transmitted (TT) infections have been previously reported, we hypothesized that transfusion of blood products could also transmit ZIKV.

Study Design And Methods: Mitigation strategies to prevent ZIKV-TT infections included nonspecific measures and the implementation of a laboratory developed ZIKV-specific nucleic acid testing (NAT) assay.

Influence of needle diameter on spinal anaesthesia puncture failures for caesarean section: A prospective, randomised, experimental study.

Objectives: Spinal anaesthesia represents the technique of choice for elective caesarean section. The purpose of this study was to compare the puncture failure rates with 25, 26 or 27 gauge (G) pencil-point, Whitacre type (with introducer) needles during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section.

Study Design: Prospective, randomised, experimental study in healthy subjects.