High-level long-term white blood cell microchimerism after transfusion of leukoreduced blood components to patients resuscitated after severe traumatic injury.

Background: Long-term white blood cell (WBC) microchimerism (MC), of at least 2 years, has been reported in trauma patients receiving fresh nonleukoreduced (non-LR) blood. It is unknown, however, whether this occurs with LR blood products that are nearly devoid of WBCs. Twenty-seven patients transfused with LR and non-LR blood products were studied after severe traumatic injury.

Microchimerism in transfused trauma patients is associated with diminished donor-specific lymphocyte response.

Background: Blood transfusion can result in long-term survival of donor leukocyte subpopulations, or microchimerism, in the peripheral blood of injured patients. Neither injury severity nor the number of transfusions is associated with its occurrence. We sought to determine whether changes in general or antigen-specific lymphocyte activation may be associated with the subsequent development of microchimerism.

Flavanols and platelet reactivity.

Platelet activity and platelet-endothelial cell interactions are important in the acute development of thrombosis, as well as in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. An increasing number of foods have been reported to have platelet-inhibitory actions, and research with a number of flavanol-rich foods, including, grape juice, cocoa and chocolate, suggests that these foods may provide some protection against thrombosis. In the present report, we review a series of in vivo studies on the effects of flavanol-rich cocoa and chocolate on platelet activation and platelet-dependent primary hemostasis.

Blood transfusion is associated with donor leukocyte microchimerism in trauma patients.

Introduction: Blood transfusion can result in survival of donor leukocyte subpopulations in the recipient. Persistence of donor leukocytes in the transfusion recipient is termed microchimerism. Microchimerism likely reflects engraftment of the recipient with donor hematopoietic stem cells and is very uncommon with transfusion for elective surgery, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and HIV.

Visual assessment of hemolysis in red blood cell units and segments can be deceptive.

Background: Blood components that appear hemolyzed are discarded. However, visual inspection is subjective and criteria for excessive hemolysis are poorly defined.

Study Design And Methods: Packed RBCs (10 CPDA-1, 10 Adsol) were collected.