Biological qualification of blood units: considerations about the effects of sample's handling and storage on stability of nucleic acids.

Background: In transfusional setting introduction of nucleic amplification technique (NAT) for HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA and HIV-RNA in biological qualification of blood units suggest some problems. At first the opportunity to operate on mini-pool, at second the need to store the samples at +4 degrees C. The authors therefore have tried to estimate the impact of these conditions on the operativity of NAT testing in the transfusional setting.

[Foetal-maternal alloimmunizations in the South-East area of the Venice province].

Background: This study report the results obtained in a retrospective analysis of the foetal-maternal alloimmunizations observed from 1993 to 1999 in the South-East area of the Venice province.

Methods: The data concerning 17,000 pregnancy observed in this area from 1993-1999 have been collected. For each pregnancy data concerning maternal ABO, Rh, Kk and IAT as well as foetal ABO, Rh, Kk and DAT were available.

The stability of hepatitis C virus RNA after storage at +4 degrees C.

One of the major issues in nucleic acid testing is how to store blood samples to obtain reliable results. We therefore studied hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA concentration in samples after storage at +4 degrees C or freezing and thawing. Six HCV RNA-positive, untreated subjects were studied.

Selective depletion of the OKT 4+ 4B4+ subset in lymph nodes from HIV+ patients.

We have used 4B4 and 2H4 monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with OKT 4 to quantify T cell subsets in lymph node suspensions from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive subjects with lymphadenopathy syndrome. The data indicate that the reduced OKT 4:OKT 8 ratio was due to a depletion of the OKT 4+ 4B4+ subset. In contrast, there were no differences compared to reactive controls, considering the OKT8+ subpopulation.