The Potential Impact of Chikungunya Virus Outbreaks on Blood Transfusion.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is responsible for large periodic epidemics in both endemic and nonendemic areas where competent mosquitoes are present. Transmission of CHIKV by transfusion during explosive outbreaks has never been documented, and the true impact of CHIKV infection on blood transfusion during an outbreak is unknown. Considerations include not only transfusions in the active outbreak areas but also returning travelers to nonendemic areas.

Risk of chikungunya virus transmission associated with European travelers returning from southern Thailand (2008-2015).

Background: The impact of the spread of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) by autochthonous transmission and blood transfusion in nonendemic areas via travelers returning from CHIKV-affected locations is a concern.

Methods: We analyzed the risks of potential CHIKV importation and transfusion transmission from Thailand to Europe via travelers visiting southern Thailand from 2008 through 2015, using the web-based European Up-front Risk Assessment Tool.

Results: The risk of CHIKV importation by European travelers returning from Thailand from 2008 through 2015 varied depending on the year of travel, tourist destination, duration of stay, and time since last possible exposure.

Full-length nucleotide sequence of ERMAP alleles encoding Scianna (SC) antigens.

Background: Scianna (SC) blood group system comprises two antithetical antigens, Sc1 and Sc2, and five additional antigens. The antigens reside on a glycoprotein encoded by the erythroblast membrane-associated protein (ERMAP) gene. For the common ERMAP alleles, we determined the full-length nucleotide sequence that encodes the Scianna glycoprotein.

Risk of transfusion-transmitted chikungunya infection and efficacy of blood safety implementation measures: experience from the 2009 epidemic in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

Background: To date, neither is there a standard guideline for maintaining a safe blood supply during a chikungunya fever (CHIKF) outbreak nor has a study been performed on actual transfusion-transmitted CHIKF to recipients. This study estimated the potential incidence of transfusion-transmitted CHIKF and compared the efficacies of various blood safety intervention strategies to mitigate the transfusion-transmitted CHIKF risk.

Study Design And Methods: A Web-based tool named the European Up-Front Risk Assessment Tool (EUFRAT) was used to estimate the risk of transfusion-transmitted CHIKF using data inputs from the 2009 Songkhla epidemic in Thailand.

Association of ABO Blood Group Phenotype and Allele Frequency with Chikungunya Fever.

Background. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of the ABO blood group phenotype and allele frequency with CHIK fever. Methods.

Genotypic distribution of hepatitis C virus in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

The majority of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection results in chronic infection, which can lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Global burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is estimated at 150 million individuals, or 3% of the world's population. The distribution of the seven major genotypes of HCV varies with geographical regions.

Physicochemical properties and responses in microcirculation of native tapioca starch-based plasma expander.

Plasma expanders (PEs) such as hydroxyethyl strach are widely used for volume replacement. The plantation and production of tapioca in Thailand is abundant which may provide a new source for PEs starch with novel properties. This work investigated the properties and circulatory effects of native tapioca starch-based PE (TPE).

The risk of blood transfusion-associated Chikungunya fever during the 2009 epidemic in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

Background: Asymptomatic Chikungunya fever (CHIKF)-viremic blood donors could be a potential threat of spreading the disease unwittingly through contaminated blood transfusions. The relatively low prevalence of Chikungunya virus antibodies in the population and the records of more than 9000 suspected CHIKF cases raised concern about the potential transfusion-associated CHIKF during the 2009 epidemic. This study assessed the potential transfusion risk for CHIKF and the implementation of blood safety measures to mitigate this risk.

Applying molecular immunohaematology to regularly transfused thalassaemic patients in Thailand.

Background: Red blood cell transfusion is the principal therapy in patients with severe thalassaemias and haemoglobinopathies, which are prevalent in Thailand. Serological red blood cell typing is confounded by chronic transfusion, because of circulating donor red blood cells. We evaluated the concordance of serological phenotypes between a routine and a reference laboratory and with red cell genotyping.

Prediction score for effective bleeding control using recombinant activated factor VII in perioperative nonhemophilic patients.

Background: Although there has been growing evidence from off-label use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in surgical bleeding, there is limited information on prediction scores.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from 2004 to 2009. The primary outcome was efficacy of bleeding control.

Inferior progression-free survival for Thai patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated under Universal Coverage Scheme: the impact of rituximab inaccessability.

The impact of health insurance with inequitable rituximab coverage on the survival of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) has never been reported. We conducted a nationwide multicenter analysis on the outcome of 553 adult patients consecutively diagnosed with DLBCL between July 2003 and June 2006, in whom treatment cost was reimbursed under the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS) (n =201) or the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) (n =352). The international prognostic index was comparable between the two payment groups.

Prognostic significance of serum proangiogenic molecules in patients with de novo non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

This study was aimed to assess the clinical significances of the serum VEGF and bFGF in Thai patients with de novo NHL. Serum VEGF and bFGF concentrations were measured from 79 adult patients with newly diagnosed stage 2-4 non-Hodgkin lymphomas by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay. At the time of diagnosis, the serum VEGF concentrations from 79 patients ranged from 72.

No Prognostic Impact of p53 and P-Glycoprotein Expression in Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

The aim of this study was to determine the clinical significances of p53 and p-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression on outcome predictors for patients with DLBC. We assessed the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and P-gp using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens in 108 patients diagnosed with de novo DLBC. A high expression of p53 was found in 53.

Incidence, etiology and bone marrow characteristics of non-chemotherapy-induced agranulocytosis.

Objective: Agranulocytosis is a rare but fatal condition. The majority of cases are associated with drugs. However, in-patient incidences and the relationship between clinical outcomes and bone marrow characteristics have not been established.

Incidence and radiographic findings of primary central nervous system lymphoma in immunocompetent patients in southern Thailand.

Aims And Background: In the last two decades there have been conflicting reports concerning a rising incidence of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) in immunocompetent patients. This study is being conducted to review the incidence and radiographic findings of PCNSL in a large tertiary care institution in southern Thailand.

Patients: A review was carried out in Songklanagarind University Hospital of the clinical records, CT and MRI images of immunocompetent patients who had histologically proven PCNSL diagnosed between January 1993 and December 2004.

A unique case of transient spontaneous regression complicated with tumor lysis syndrome of T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma in HIV-infected patient without antiretroviral therapy.

Spontaneous regression in high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma is rare. Herein, the authors report the case of a 26-year-old asymptomatic HIV-infected patient presenting with bleeding per gum after a dental extraction. Initially, a complete blood count showed lymphoblasts and thrombocytopenia.