Centre-based comparison of double versus single prevention strategy on transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus in at-risk haemopoietic stem cell transplant patients and a state survey on cytomegalovirus-seronegative ordering practises.

Background: Universal leucocyte depletion reduces the risk of transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus; however, many clinicians still prescribe cytomegalovirus seronegative units.

Aim: Our retrospective study aims to confirm the low risk of transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus with leucocyte depletion alone and demonstrate the ongoing variability in cytomegalovirus seronegative transfusion prescribing.

Methods: Over a 9-year period (July 2009-July 2018), occurrences of transfusion transmitted cytomegalovirus in cytomegalovirus seronegative donor/recipient haemopoietic stem cell transplant pairs were compared at one allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplant centre providing cytomegalovirus seronegative blood products and leucocyte depletion (double prevention) versus another providing leucocyte depletion only (single prevention).

Immature platelet fraction as a predictor of platelet count recovery following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

The immature platelet fraction (IPF) is a marker of increased platelet production. An increase in IPF is associated with increased marrow production; therefore, a subsequent increase in a bone marrow transplant recipient during the pancytopenic phase may correlate with platelet recovery and engraftment. We performed a retrospective cohort study and evaluated 32 patients who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.