A challenging case of pregnancy with placenta accreta and very rare irregular antibodies versus Cromer blood group system: a case report.

Introduction: This report describes the challenges of treating a pregnant woman who had a rare case of critical placenta accreta with concurrent Cromer system anti-Tc(a) and anti-Kidd A alloantibodies. No previous case of such alloimmunization in a patient with placenta accreta has been reported.

Case Presentation: A 28-year-old African woman with anti-Cromer Tc(a) antibodies, anti-Kidd A antibodies and placenta accreta was admitted to the obstetric emergency department at our university hospital with persistent vaginal bleeding.

Acute hepatitis B caused by a vaccine-escape HBV strain in vaccinated subject: sequence analysis and therapeutic strategy.

HBV vaccine contains the 'a' determinant region, the major immune-target of antibodies (anti-HBs). Failure of immunization may be caused by vaccine-induced or spontaneous 'a' determinant surface gene mutants. Here, we evaluate the possible lack of protection by HBV vaccine, describing the case of an acute hepatitis B diagnosed in a 55-year-old Caucasian male unpaid blood donor, vaccinated against HBV.

Detection of microparticles from human red blood cells by multiparametric flow cytometry.

Background: During storage, red blood cells (RBC) undergo chemical and biochemical changes referred to as "storage lesions". These events determine the loss of RBC integrity, resulting in lysis and release of microparticles. There is growing evidence of the clinical importance of microparticles and their role in blood transfusion-related side effects and pathogen transmission.

Sickle cell disease in areas of immigration of high-risk populations: a low cost and reproducible method of screening in northern Italy.

Background: From 2005 to 2010, we observed a 10-fold increase of newly diagnosed sickle cell disease in children in the province of Modena (northern Italy). The median age at diagnosis was 24 months. Since these children are too old for optimal disease management, earlier detection of the disease is needed for prophylaxis and comprehensive care before the occurrence of clinical manifestations.