Platelet production planning to ensure availability while minimizing outdating.

Steps were undertaken to reduce platelet concentrate outdating while maintaining the ability to provide them to hospitals as needed. A brief daily information exchange was established with the purpose of determining a platelet concentrate production goal for each weekday. This procedure has resulted in the ability to meet 100 percent of the hospital demand while reducing platelet concentrate outdating from greater than 20 percent to 2.

Comparative evaluation of radioimmunoassay kits used for testing blood for hepatitis B surface antigen.

A comparative evaluation of six licensed radioimmunoassay kits for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has been performed. Each method met the federal licensure requirements for the test. The performance of the kits varied considerably, however, when they were challenged to the limits of their sensitivities.

Relationship of subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen with e antigen and its corresponding antibody.

A total of 3,212 samples of blood from asymptomatic volunteer donors positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by radioimmunoassay and 860 samples negative for HBsAg were tested for the presence of hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg) and its corresponding antibody (anti-HBe) using a rheophoresis technique. Neither HBeAg nor anti-HBe was detected in any sample negative for HBsAg. Of the HBsAg-positive samples, 237 (7.

Purification of hepatitis B surface antigen using polyethylene gylcol, pepsin and Tween 80.

A simple, inexpensive procedure for the isolation and purification of HB8Ag from plasma is described. The technique included precipitation of HBsAg with PEG and elimination of normal plasma proteins by digestion with pepsin. Tween 80 was used to remove contaminating lipoprotein(s).