COVID-19 Antibody Testing in Healthcare Workers in Arkansas.

Introduction Seroprevalence surveys can estimate the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a symptom-independent manner, offering valuable data, including herd immunity, that can inform national and local public health policies. To our knowledge, there have been no large studies reporting seroprevalence in healthcare workers (HCWs) in the state of Arkansas. The objective of this study is to measure SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in HCWs in a large tertiary-care healthcare system prior to vaccine availability.

Red blood cell transfusion: impact of an education program and a clinical guideline on transfusion practice.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion guidelines have been developed by professional societies. These guidelines recommend a restrictive RBC transfusion practice for most clinical populations. Despite the consistency of guidelines and limited evidence for RBC transfusion efficacy, there is variability in RBC transfusion practice.

Directed blood donor program decreases donor exposure for children with sickle cell disease requiring chronic transfusion.

In children with sickle cell disease (SCD), primary and secondary prevention of strokes require indefinite regular blood transfusion therapy. The risks associated with repeated transfusions include alloimmunization and increased donor exposure. The Charles Drew Program is a directed blood donor program designed to lower donor exposure, decreasing the associated complications of transfusion; however, no evidence exists demonstrating the magnitude of the benefit to the recipient.

A comparison of washed and volume-reduced platelets with respect to platelet activation, aggregation, and plasma protein removal.

Background: Washed or volume-reduced platelets (PLTs) are occasionally requested for patients with a history of allergic or anaphylactic transfusion reactions. However, conclusive data are not available as to which method is more suitable.

Study Design And Methods: A direct comparison of saline-washed and volume-reduced PLTs was performed by splitting 11 units of 6-day-old apheresis PLT units.

Viability and engraftment of hematopoietic progenitor cells after long-term cryopreservation: effect of diagnosis and percentage dimethyl sulfoxide concentration.

Background Aims: We carried out a retrospective analysis of viability by diagnosis and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) concentration in patients who had undergone autologous transplants using hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) after long-term storage (up to 17.8 years).

Methods: Viability was tested using flow cytometry for HPC that were harvested and preserved using a controlled rate freezer and 5% or 10% DMSO with human serum albumin, then stored in liquid nitrogen.