Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates: results of a prospective multicenter study comparing pooled whole blood-derived platelets and apheresis platelets.

Background: The GERMS Group initiated a prospective multicenter study to assess prevalence and nature of bacterial contamination of pooled buffy-coat platelet concentrates (PPCs) and apheresis platelet concentrates (APCs) by routine screening with a bacterial culture system.

Study Design And Methods: In nine centers overall, 52,243 platelet (PLT) concentrates (15,198 APCs, 37,045 PPCs) were analyzed by aerobic and anaerobic cultures (BacT/ALERT, bioMérieux).

Results: In 135 PLT concentrates (PCs; 0.

Fyx is associated with two missense point mutations in its gene and can be detected by PCR-SSP.

The Duffy blood group antigens are encoded by the Duffy gene with its three major alleles: Fy*A (Fya+), Fy*B (Fyb+), and a nonexpressed Fy*Fy (Fya-b-), which is most commonly found among black people. Additionally, a fourth allele, Fyx, is found among white people and defined as weak Fyb not detectable by all anti-Fyb. Three polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) using sequence-specific priming (SSP) for detection of the major FY alleles were developed.

[Late infectious complications after high-dose therapy and autologous blood stem cell transplantation].

Aim: Only a few data on frequency and character of late infectious complications after high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have been published. This prospective study was carried out to identify potential predictive factors for late infections (occurring after discharge following HDT) and to clarify the usefulness of prophylactic measures.

Patients And Methods: Clinical data of 192 consecutive patients treated with HDT and ASCT in a single hospital were analyzed on late infectious complications.

RHCE-D-CE hybrid genes can cause false-negative DNA typing of the Rh e antigen.

Background And Objectives: DNA typing of the human Rh blood groups generally shows good agreement with serologically defined phenotypes. However, in the present report we describe four individuals who were declared Rh e negative by genotyping although they express the Rh e antigen.

Materials And Methods: Serotyping was performed using mono- and polyclonal Rh antisera.

PCR screening for common weak D types shows different distributions in three Central European populations.

Background: DNA sequencing showed RHD mutations for all weak D phenotypes investigated in a study from Southwestern Germany. Molecular classification of weak D offers a more reliable basis than serotyping and is relevant for optimal D transfusion strategies.

Study Design And Methods: Sequence-specific primers were designed to detect weak D types 1 to 5 and the partial D phenotype HMi in a modular set for conventional PCR analysis.