Biochemical and functional characteristics of stored (double-dose) buffy-coat platelet concentrates treated with amotosalen and a prototype UVA light-emitting diode illuminator.

Background: Pathogen reduction of platelet concentrates (PCs) using amotosalen and broad-spectrum UVA illumination contributes to the safety of platelet transfusion by reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. We evaluated the in vitro quality of stored buffy-coat (BC) PCs treated with amotosalen and a prototype light-emitting diode (LED) illuminator.

Methods: Double-dose BC-PCs collected into PAS-III/plasma or SSP /plasma (55/45%) were treated with amotosalen in combination with either conventional UVA lamps (INT100 Illuminator 320-400 nm) or LED illuminators at 350 nm.

Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown regarding blood transfusion.

Background: The outbreak of a SARS-CoV-2 resulted in a massive afflux of patients in hospital and intensive care units with many challenges. Blood transfusion was one of them regarding both blood banks (safety, collection, and stocks) and consumption (usual care and unknown specific demand of COVID-19 patients). The risk of mismatch was sufficient to plan blood transfusion restrictions if stocks became limited.

Hypersensitivity transfusion reactions to platelet concentrate: a retrospective analysis of the French hemovigilance network.

Background: Among labile blood products, platelet concentrates (PCs) are the leading cause of hypersensitivity transfusion reactions (HTRs). These reactions often lead to interruption of PC transfusion and can result in a prolonged transfusion process leading to significant morbidity and use of premedication and close monitoring for patients with a history of allergic transfusion reactions. The French hemovigilance database is one of the largest standardized databases providing information on HTRs following administration of labile blood products.

Comparative effectiveness of plasma prepared with amotosalen-UVA pathogen inactivation and conventional plasma for support of liver transplantation.

Background: Liver transplant may require large-volume plasma transfusion with increased risk of transfusion-transmitted infection (TTI). Pathogen inactivation of plasma with amotosalen-UVA offers the potential to mitigate TTI risk.

Study Design And Methods: A retrospective cohort design was used to compare the therapeutic efficacy and key safety outcomes for liver transplants supported with quarantine plasma (Q-FFP [reference]) or amotosalen-UVA plasma (IBS plasma [test]).

Use of additive solutions and pathogen inactivation treatment of platelet components in a regional blood center: impact on patient outcomes and component utilization during a 3-year period.

Background: The Etablissement Français du Sang Alsace (EFS Alsace) successively implemented universal use of platelet additive solutions (PASs) and pathogen inactivation (PI) for platelet components (PCs). To assess the impact of these changes, EFS Alsace evaluated PC use, red blood cell (RBC) component use, and transfusion-related adverse events after implementation of these new technologies.

Study Design And Methods: EFS Alsace prospectively collects data on production, distribution, and response to transfusion of all blood components with greater than 99.

An active hemovigilance program characterizing the safety profile of 7483 transfusions with plasma components prepared with amotosalen and UVA photochemical treatment.

Background: Photochemical pathogen inactivation treatment (PCT) of plasma components with amotosalen and UVA has been implemented in Europe. To establish a postapproval safety database, an active hemovigilance (HV) program utilizing an electronic data capture system (EDCS) was initiated.

Study Design And Methods: The response to transfusion was documented after each PCT-plasma transfusion.

Transfusion of platelet components prepared with photochemical pathogen inactivation treatment during a Chikungunya virus epidemic in Ile de La Réunion.

Background: During the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) epidemic on Ile de La Réunion, France, more than 30% of 750,000 inhabitants were infected. Local blood donation was suspended to prevent transfusion-transmitted infection (TT-CHIKV). To sustain the availability of platelet (PLT) components, the Etablissement Français du Sang implemented universal pathogen inactivation (INTERCEPT, Cerus Europe BV) of PLT components (CPAs).

Photochemical treatment of plasma with amotosalen and UVA light: process validation in three European blood centers.

Background: A photochemical treatment (PCT) process has been developed to inactivate pathogens and white blood cells (WBCs) in therapeutic plasma. Process validation studies were performed in three European blood centers under routine operating conditions.

Study Design And Methods: Each center prepared 30 apheresis and 30 to 36 whole blood-derived plasma units for PCT.

Plasma glycoprotein V levels in the general population: normal distribution, associated parameters and implications for clinical studies.

Soluble glycoprotein V (sGPV) is a new plasma marker of thrombosis released from the platelet surface by thrombin. sGPV levels are increased in patients with atherothrombotic diseases, but the determinants of sGPV levels are unknown in the general population. Identification of these potential confounding factors is needed for correct design and analysis of clinical studies on cardiovascular diseases.

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of photochemically treated apheresis platelets processed with an optimized integrated set.

Background: This multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind Phase III clinical study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and safety of apheresis platelets (PLTs) photochemically treated (PCT) with amotosalen and ultraviolet A light (INTERCEPT Blood System, Baxter Healthcare Corp.) compared with conventional apheresis PLTs (reference).

Study Design And Methods: Forty-three patients with transfusion-dependent thrombocytopenia were randomly assigned to receive either PCT or reference PLT transfusions for up to 28 days.

Assessment of complement activation during membrane-based plasmapheresis procedures.

Previous studies have suggested that plasmapheresis procedures using a separation membrane may activate the complement system and release anaphylatoxins. This study determines the content in C3a/C3a(des Arg) and C5a/C5a(des Arg) in plasma donations obtained by the new Haemonetics Filter Core (FC) procedure and compares it to Baxter Autopheresis C (Auto-C). FC performs sequential blood centrifugation and plasma filtration on a microporous polyethersulfone membrane, while Auto-C removes blood cells by simultaneous gravitation and filtration on a rotating nylon membrane.