Hepatitis E virus seropositivity in an ethnically diverse community blood donor population.

Background And Objectives: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an underrecognized and emerging infectious disease that may threaten the safety of donor blood supply in many parts of the world. We sought to elucidate whether our local community blood supply is at increased susceptibility for transmission of transfusion-associated HEV infections.

Materials And Methods: We screened 10,002 randomly selected donations over an 8-month period between 2017 and 2018 at the Stanford Blood Center for markers of HEV infection using commercial IgM/IgG serological tests and reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays (RT-qPCR).

Implementation strategy for complete pathogen reduction technology treated apheresis platelet inventory.

Background: Bacterial contamination in platelets remain a major public health concern, which prompted the US Food and Drug Administration guidance for bacterial contamination mitigation. Pathogen reduction technology (PRT) is one mitigation strategy that has shown success in Europe over the last decade. Therefore, our center sought to transition from a dual system of bacterial culturing (BacT) and PRT to full PRT.

Factors associated with first-time and repeat blood donation: Adverse reactions and effects on donor behavior.

Background: Blood centers have a dual mission to protect donors and patients; donor safety is paramount to maintaining an adequate blood supply. Elucidating donor factors associated with adverse reactions (AR) is critical to this mission.

Study Design/methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of whole blood donors from 2003 to 2020 was conducted at a single blood center in northern California.

A survey of US hospitals on platelet inventory management, transfusion practice, and platelet availability.

Background: A survey of US hospitals was conducted to increase our understanding of the current state of platelet (PLT) practice and supply. The survey captures information on transfusion practice and inventory management, including stock levels, outdate rates, ability to return or transfer PLTs, and low dose PLTs. Notably, the survey also elucidates PLT availability challenges and impact to patient care.

If the permanent deferral were lifted would men who have sex with men want to donate blood, and if so, who would be eligible?

Background: The deferral of men who have sex with men (MSM) from blood donation is controversial worldwide, with national policies varying from no explicit deferral to permanent deferral. This study assesses whether MSM have donated and would be interested in donating if the US exclusion policy were removed and who would be eligible to donate if the policy were modified to a temporary or lower-risk deferral criterion.

Study Design And Methods: Questions about previous blood donation and interest in future donation were added to the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance survey questionnaire, which periodically gathers risk behavior information from MSM in San Francisco.