Availability of HLA-allele-matched unrelated donors and registry size: Estimation from haplotype frequency in the Italian population.

In Italy, an HLA-matched unrelated donor is currently the primary donor when a HLA matched sibling is not found for allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Better outcomes for transplantation require optimal matching between donor and recipient at least at the HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1 loci; therefore, the availability of HLA-matched unrelated donors is important. The enormous HLA polymorphism has always necessitated registries with a large number of individuals in order to be able to provide well-matched donors to a substantial percentage of patients.

COVID-19 vaccine-associated immune thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (VITT): Diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for a new syndrome.

Very rare cases of thrombosis associated with thrombocytopenia have occurred following the vaccination with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The aim of this concise review is to summarize the current knowledge on the epidemiologic and pathogenic mechanisms of this syndrome named vaccine-associated immune thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (VITT). A practical patient management section will also be dealt with using information available from national and international scientific societies as well as expert panels.

The Three Pillars of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Therapy.

The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has spread rapidly around the world in the last year causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which still is a severe threat for public health. The therapeutic management of COVID-19 is challenging as, up until now, no specific and efficient pharmacological therapy has been validated. Translating the experience from previous viral epidemics, passive immunotherapy by means of plasma from individuals recovered from COVID-19 has been intensively investigated since the beginning of the pandemic.

An international comparison of HIV prevalence and incidence in blood donors and general population: a BEST Collaborative study.

Background And Objectives: Efficiency in mitigating HIV transmission risk by transfusion may vary internationally. We compared HIV prevalence and incidence in blood donors across different jurisdictions in relation to those rates in the general population and differences in deferral practices.

Materials And Methods: Data from 2007 to 2016 were collected in Australia, Brazil (São Paulo), Canada, England, France, Italy, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain (Basque Country), USA (Vitalant) and Wales.

A forecasting model to estimate the drop in blood supplies during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Italy.

Objectives: To estimate the number of actually Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected blood donors applying a statistical forecasting model.

Background: Following the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, a drop in blood donation has been observed. It is crucial to determine the actual number of potential SARS-CoV-2-positive donors to define the measures and ensure adequate blood supply.

Hemostatic therapy as a management strategy for acquired hemophilia: what does the future hold?

: Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies that bind and inactivate factor VIII (FVIII), predisposing to a potentially life-threatening bleeding.: The main epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic features of AHA are critically discussed. In particular, we focus on the hemostatic management of AHA patients analyzing the currently available treatment options and showing the latest data on the innovative hemostatic agents still under investigation.

Potential mechanisms of action of convalescent plasma in COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered as one of the worst catastrophic events in human history. Unfortunately, no universally recognized effective therapeutic agents are currently available for the treatment of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this context, the use of convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients has gained increasing interest thanks to the initially positive clinical reports.

Convalescent Plasma for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 is one of the worst catastrophic events in human history. Several non-specific antiviral drugs have been tried to defeat the SARS-CoV-2, with mixed results. Convalescent plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 is one of the specific biologic therapies being considered to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A retrospective study assessing the characteristics of COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors and donations.

Background: Although many trials are currently investigating the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma (CP) in critically ill COVID-19 patients, there is a paucity of ongoing and published studies evaluating the CP donors' side. This retrospective study reports the first Italian experience on CP donors' selection and donations.

Methods: Patients aged 18-68 years who had recovered from COVID-19 at least 2 weeks previously were recruited between March 18 and June 30, 2020 in a study protocol at the Italian hospitals of Pavia and Mantova.

The use of whole blood in traumatic bleeding: a systematic review.

Hemostatic resuscitation is currently considered a standard of care for the management of life-threatening hemorrhage, but in some critical settings the access to high quantities of blood components is problematic. Whole blood (WB) transfusion has been proposed as an alternative modality for hemostatic resuscitation of traumatic major bleeding. To assess the efficacy and safety of WB in trauma-associated massive bleeding, we performed a systematic review of the literature.

COVID-19-associated coagulopathy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been recently recognized as a systemic disorder inducing a prothrombotic state. The molecular mechanisms underlying the hypercoagulable state seen in patients with COVID-19 is still incompletely understood, although it presumably involves the close link between inflammatory and hemostatic systems. The laboratory coagulation monitoring of severely ill COVID-19 patients is mandatory to identify those patients at increased thrombotic risk and to modulate thromboprophylaxis accordingly.

Patient blood management during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review.

As COVID-19 disease escalates globally, optimising patient outcome during this catastrophic healthcare crisis is the number one priority. The principles of patient blood management are fundamental strategies to improve patient outcomes and should be given high priority in this crisis situation. The aim of this expert review is to provide clinicians and healthcare authorities with information regarding how to apply established principles of patient blood management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advances in managing rare acquired bleeding disorders.

Introduction: Rare acquired bleeding disorders include a wide spectrum of coagulopathies characterized by spontaneous or post-trauma and post-surgery hemorrhages in patients without a previous personal or family history of bleeding.

Areas Covered: This review, based on a Medline/PubMed search during the last 20 years, will focus mainly on rare acquired bleeding disorders caused by autoantibodies against coagulation factors, including autoantibodies against factor VIII (acquired hemophilia A), von Willebrand factor (acquired von Willebrand syndrome) and other coagulation factors (factors V, X, XI, and XIII). The pathogenic, laboratory, and clinical features of these rare hemorrhagic conditions will be discussed, with particular attention to their management.

Investigational drugs to treat hemophilia.

: Hemophilia A and B are congenital bleeding disorders. The current standard management of patients with severe hemophilia is prophylaxis which is given intravenously two or three times weekly; however, this is associated with a significant burden on the quality of life of the patient. The main attempts to improve the management of hemophilia is hence through the development of a new generation of products with properties facilitating prophylaxis and/or a better control of bleeding.

Platelet-rich plasma for sports-related muscle, tendon and ligament injuries: an umbrella review.

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been used in different non-transfusion indications due to its role in tissue regeneration and healing. The aim of this overview of systematic reviews (umbrella review) is to provide a summary of the existing research syntheses related to PRP use for sports-related muscle, tendon and ligament injuries.

Materials And Methods: Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify systematic reviews focusing on PRP use for sports-related muscle, tendon and ligament injuries.

The growing importance of achieving national self-sufficiency in immunoglobulin in Italy. The emergence of a national imperative.

Since the inception of industrial plasma fractionation during the Second World War, a succession of protein therapies isolated from plasma have determined the volume of plasma requiring collection, and have also shaped the economics of the industry. These so-called plasma drivers have successively included albumin, coagulation Factor VIII (FVIII) and, for the past thirty years, intravenously (IV) and subcutaneously (SC) administered immunoglobulin (IG) solutions. The sale of IG underpins the profitability of the industry and has experienced continuous growth over the past decades, as the result of growing clinical demand.

Pathogen reduction of blood components during outbreaks of infectious diseases in the European Union: an expert opinion from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control consultation meeting.

Pathogen reduction (PR) of selected blood components is a technology that has been adopted in practice in various ways. Although they offer great advantages in improving the safety of the blood supply, these technologies have limitations which hinder their broader use, e.g.

Hepatitis E virus infection prevalence among men who have sex with men involved in a hepatitis A virus outbreak in Italy.

Background: The routes of hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission have still not been fully clarified. Here, we evaluated the possibility of sexual transmission of HEV, which remains a highly disputed issue.

Materials And Methods: Hepatitis E virus sexual transmission risk was assessed by comparing the prevalence of HEV infection in a sample of 196 Italian men who have sex with men (MSM) involved in a multi-country hepatitis A virus (HAV) outbreak, and in 3,912 Italian male blood donors selected from the same regions and provinces as the MSM.