The usefulness of anti-HCV signal to cut-off ratio in predicting hepatitis C viremia and the effect of genotype differences on signal to cut-off ratio.

Objective: In the hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnostic algorithm, an anti-HCV screening test is recommended first. In countries with low HCV prevalence, anti-HCV testing can often give false-positive results. This may lead to unnecessary retesting, increased costs, and psychological stress for patients.

[The Role of Anti-HBc Testing on Donor Selection and Its Contribution to Current Alghorithms; Can the Gülhane Experience Be a Model for Turkey?].

Additional or different test procedures can be applied to maximize transfusion safety by reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections. Antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is one of the most commonly used serologic marker in this context. The aim of the study was to analyse anti-Hbc test results performed within the scope of routine screening tests in our center and to examine the effect of the donor re-entry protocol established.

Effectiveness of Vapocoolant Spray on Venipuncture Pain in Young Male Donors: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of this single-blinded, randomized controlled study was to determine the effectiveness of vapocoolant spray in reducing pain related to venipuncture in young, healthy male blood donors. The participants were separated into 2 groups by randomization. The donors in the control group (n = 44) were not given any intervention during the blood collection process.

MATRA-A: A study on massive transfusion.

Background: We use massive transfusion in various clinical conditions and it is associated with high mortality. Although some massive transfusion protocols improve patient outcomes, the clinical circumstances requiring it are not well defined.

Methods: MATRA-A is a multicenter retrospective study.

Regulatory consideration on preparation and clinical use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), spreading from Wuhan to worldwide has been emerged since December 2019. Although scientists and researchers have been racing to develop specific therapeutic agents or vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 since the identification of the agent, either a drug or a vaccine has not been approved to treat or to prevent COVID-19 up to date. On the base of historical experiences, Convalescent Plasma (CP), a passive antibody therapy, has been evaluated as a hopeful and potential therapeutic option since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Prevalence and Quantity of Parvovirus B19 DNA Among Blood Donors from a Regional Blood Center in Turkey.

Objective: Parvovirus B19 causes a range of diseases and morbidity in humans and is transmissible by transfusion of blood, blood components and plasma derivatives. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence and quantity of B19 DNA among blood donors.

Method: Totally 1053 samples were collected from March to July 2016 at a blood bank for detection of Parvovirus B19 DNA and serological status of blood donors.

Evaluating the effect of donor anxiety levels and lifestyle characteristics on the activation of platelet concentrates.

Background: Smoking, alcohol use, performing regular physical exercise, dietary habits, and anxiety level may cause platelet activation. We aimed to evaluate the anxiety levels, smoking status, alcohol intake, and sportive habits of donors, and determine their impact on the quality of apheresis-platelets.

Methods: State and Transient Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to determine the level of donors' anxiety.

Bringing Packed Red Blood Cells to the Point of Combat Injury: Are We There Yet?

Objective: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of injury-related prehospital mortality. We investigated worst-case scenarios and possible requirements of the Turkish military. As we plan to use blood resources during casualty transport, the impact of transport-related mechanical stress on packed red blood cells (PRBCs) was analyzed.

Platelet-rich plasma as an additional therapeutic option for infected wounds with multi-drug resistant bacteria: in vitro antibacterial activity study.

Purpose: Infected wounds, such as diabetic foot infections, are mostly polymicrobial and microorganisms have high resistance rates to antimicrobials. Infected wounds in diabetic patients have high cost, morbidity, and mortality rates. Based on these facts, there is a need for supportive localized treatment options such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) implementations.

Incomplete Antibodies May Reduce ABO Cross-Match Incompatibility: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Any erythrocyte transfusion among humans having type A or B blood groups is impossible due to antibodies causing fatal transfusion complications. A cross-match test is performed to prevent immune transfusion complications before transfusion. Our hypothesis is that the fragment antibody (Fab) part of the antibody (incomplete antibody) may be used to prevent an immune stimulus related to the complete antibody.

Generation of Platelet Microparticles after Cryopreservation of Apheresis Platelet Concentrates Contributes to Hemostatic Activity.

Objective: In the last decade, substantial evidence has accumulated about the use of cryopreserved platelet concentrates, especially in trauma. However, little reference has been made in these studies to the morphological and functional changes of platelets. Recently platelets have been shown to be activated by cryopreservation processes and to undergo procoagulant membrane changes resulting in the generation of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), platelet degranulation, and release of platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs).

A strategical re-thinking on National Blood Donor Pool: Anti-HBc positivity related re-entry mechanisms.

Background And Objectives: Screening of blood donations for antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is used to prevent transfusion transmitted hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In this study, we studied the magnitude of blood donor gain by using a re-entry mechanism in our Blood Bank of Gulhane Military Academy of Medicine.

Materials And Methods: Between January and May 2013, 5148 voluntary blood donors were screened by ELISA method for HBsAg, anti-HBc total and other screening markers, prospectively.

[Rapid detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases by flow cytometry method].

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), produced by Enterobacteriaceae members are enzymes that especially cause a resistance to cephalosporin group antibiotics commonly used in clinics. Early and rapid detection of ESBL production is crucial for antimicrobial treatment and infection control; however the methods used for this purpose are time consuming (24 to 48 hours). The aim of this study was to determine a flow cytometry based-test which provides to detect ESBL producing bacteria in a short time.

In vitro efficacy of frozen erythrocytes: implementation of new strategic blood stores to alleviate resource shortage (issue revisited).

Background/aim: Currently, the provision of blood products largely depends on walking blood banks and limited amounts of stored blood with short shelf lives. We aimed to compare the efficacy of erythrocyte concentrate (ECs) by pre- and postfreezing in vitro tests.

Materials And Methods: In our study, 10 ECs were glycerolized, frozen, thawed, and then deglycerolized using the Naval Blood Research Laboratory method.

Freezing of Apheresis Platelet Concentrates in 6% Dimethyl Sulfoxide: The First Preliminary Study in Turkey.

Objective: Transfusion of platelet suspensions is an essential part of patient care for certain clinical indications. In this pioneering study in Turkey, we aimed to assess the in vitro hemostatic functions of platelets after cryopreservation.

Materials And Methods: Seven units of platelet concentrates were obtained by apheresis.

[Investigation of various virulence factors among the hospital and community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus isolates by real-time PCR method].

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common cause of skin and soft tissue infections in the community and the most important cause of nosocomial infections. In this research, it was aimed to detect the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin A to D (SEA, SEB, SEC and SED, respectively), toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) and SCCmec phenotype in methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) isolates and to demonstrate the genotypic association between hospital acquired and community acquired isolates.

[Resistance rates to major anti-tuberculosis drugs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from seven different regions of Turkey in 2003-2006 period].

Multi-drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a global problem and has increased especially in areas where tuberculosis control programmes are inefficient. The aim of this study was to detect the resistance rates against isoniazide (INH), rifampisin (RMP), ethambutol (EMB) and streptomycin (SM) in M. tuberculosis strains collected from 7 different regions including 62 cities and sent to Refik Saydam Hygiene Center National Tuberculosis Reference and Research Laboratory.