ABO antibody titres: a multisite comparative study of equivalency and reproducibility for automated solid-phase and haemagglutination titration, and manual dilution with gel column agglutination technology.

Background: ABO antibody titres are important in many clinical decisions; however, much variability is observed in titre results. For reliable and reproducible titre results, automated ABO titration methods have been developed. In this 10-site study, we evaluated the equivalency of the automated ABO titration assays on the Galileo NEO, a fully automated blood bank analyzer (Immucor, Inc.

Personalized treatment with immunoadsorption and intravenous immunoglobulin in a case of severe Rh alloimmunization during pregnancy unresponsive to plasma - exchange.

Introduction: Despite prophylaxis, a small proportion of RhD-negative women may develop anti-D antibodies after a sensitizing event occurring during pregnancy or delivery of a D-positive baby. Intrauterine transfusion (IUT) is the treatment of choice in case of fetal anemia, but it cannot be performed early during pregnancy. Combined treatment with therapeutic plasma-exchange (TPE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can avoid or delay IUT.

The Italian Registry of Pediatric Therapeutic Apheresis: a report on activity during 2005.

The results of the 2005 Survey of the Italian Society for Apheresis and Cell Manipulation (SIdEM) reporting on the pediatric procedures carried out in 18 Italian Apheresis Units are presented here. Utilizing a standardized questionnaire, the survey collected data on techniques, types of blood separators, clinical indications, and adverse events. A total of 1,693 apheresis procedures were carried out in 355 pediatric patients: 219 plasma-exchange, 291 peripheral blood stem cell collections, 791 extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), 265 LDL-apheresis, 71 erythro-exchange, 9 cytoreductive apheresis, 47 immunoadsorption sessions.

The Italian SIdEM registry for apheresis: an overview of the 2005 statistics.

Data collection on apheresis activities in Italy throughout 2005 including techniques, types of blood cell separators, clinical indications and adverse effects was performed by means of a standardized questionnaire. These data provided by 83 Apheresis Units from 16 Italian regions, albeit rough, are sufficiently informative, mainly in comparison with previous surveys on these statistics (1997 and 2000). In 2005 a total number of 204,746 apheresis procedures were carried out, with a clear-cut prevalence of apheresis production (87.

[Serotypes of hepatitis C virus in mixed cryoglobulinaemia].

Background: Several authors have studied the genotypic distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC), which represents the most typical extra-hepatic manifestation of the HCV infection. On the other hand, at present no data are available on the HCV serotypic characterization of MC patients.

Methods: Thus, 28 serum specimens from HCV positive patients affected by MC (7 males and 21 females; mean age of 64 yrs, range 35-80) have been evaluated by a serotyping EIA method (Murex HCV Serotyping 1-6 Assay, Murex Diagnostics, Pomezia, Italy).

Mobilization of peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells following liver resection surgery.

Background/aims: Stem cells are characterized by plasticity, namely the ability of interchanging between various tissue and organs. In this regard, many studies have demonstrated the presence of antigenic structures relevant to the hematopoietic stem cell on hepatocytes, thus suggesting that in certain conditions liver cells may derive from the hematopoietic compartment. The aim of this study has been to verify whether surgical liver resection can activate bone marrow, by mobilizing peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+ cells) putatively able to induce liver repopulation.

National survey of apheresis activity in Italy (2000).

Data collection on apheresis in Italy throughout 2000, including techniques, machines, clinical indications and adverse effects, has been performed by means of a standardized questionnaire. These data provided from 102 Apheresis Units from 19 Italian regions, albeit rough, are sufficiently informative. In 2000 a total number of 164,943 apheresis procedures has been carried out, with a clear-cut prevalence of productive apheresis (90.

[Malar rash in a painting by Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin (1699-1779)].

In the present report we describe a typical malar rash, as painted by Jean-Baptiste Siméon Chardin (1699-1779), French painter, one of the greatest of the 18th century, on the face of a child in "Le Bénédicité" (Hermitage, St. Petersburg). Three versions of this theme were more completed by Chardin, in various times of his life, but the malar eruption can be seen solely on the painting at the Hermitage.

Circulating soluble-CD30 (sCD30) in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis and in patients with alcoholic liver disease.

Background/aims: Serum sCD30 (soluble CD30) is a marker of cells producing Th2-type (T-helper-2-type) cytokines. High levels of sCD30 have been found in the active phase of HBV infection. The Th2-type cytokine profile has been documented in alcoholic liver diseases, which have particularly high IgE and IgA serum levels.

A preliminary survey of the apheresis activity in Italy: a perspective for the Italian Registry of apheresis.

Data collection on the apheresis activity in Italy throughout 1997 was performed by means of a standardized questionnaire. These data, provided by 96 Apheresis Units from 13 Italian regions, albeit rough, are sufficiently informative. In 1997, a total number of 170,373 apheresis sessions was carried out, with a clear-cut prevalence of productive apheresis (92%) that was performed by all Apheresis Units.

Anti-hepatitis C virus serology in patients affected with congenital coagulation defects: a comparative study using three second generation ELISA tests.

We determined the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies in 34 patients affected with congenital coagulation disorders attending the Haemophilia Centre of Padua, Italy. Serological tests were carried out by three second generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), two based on recombinant proteins (Ortho and Abbott) and one based on synthetic peptides (Behring) as antigenic substrate. The repeatedly reactive specimens were further assayed by the supplemental 4-antigen recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) (Chiron and Ortho).

[Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus in rheumatoid arthritis. Study using second-generation tests].

In order to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), where a high prevalence of false-positive anti-HCV reactions is reported, we studied 79 patients affected with RA. In these subjects we recorded some clinical and anamnestic data (history of blood transfusion, risk factors of liver disease, therapy) and determined, besides a few routine laboratory parameters including rheumatoid factor (RF), AST and ALT, the anti-HCV serology using the 1st (EIA, Ortho and Abbott; Neutralization test, Abbott; RIBA, Chiron-Ortho) and the 2nd generation tests (EIA, Ortho; RIBA, Chiron-Ortho). Four patients (of whom three were RF seronegative) were anti-HCV reactive by the 1st generation EIA tests (5.

Associated von Willebrand disease as a possible cause of lack of thrombosis in an AT III abnormality (AT III Trento).

In a family with a known antithrombin III abnormality (AT III Trento) an associated von Willebrand defect (Type I) was found. The two defects seem to segregate independently. In fact four types of individuals were present, namely: subjects with isolated AT III abnormality, subjects with isolated von Willebrand defect, patients with double defect and normal subjects.

First case in Italy of fatal AIDS in a hemophiliac.

The first fatal case of AIDS in an hemophiliac observed in Italy is reported. The propositus is a 53-year-old hemophilia A patient who died on the 8th December, 1984. AIDS was documented clinically and in the laboratory by serum antibodies to HTLV-III detected by ELISA and Western blot assays.

Greater decrease of fibrinogen as compared to antithrombin III in L-asparaginase treated leukemia patients.

Fibrinogen and Antithrombin III (AT III) were studied sequentially during remission induction with L-asparaginase, prednisone and vincristine in 20 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The first 2 weeks of therapy were characterized by significant decreases in plasma concentration of fibrinogen (p less than 0.05 or p less than 0.

Factor X Padua: a 'new' congenital factor X abnormality with a defect only in the extrinsic system.

A family with a new factor X defect is reported. The proposita is a 56-year-old female. She is asymptomatic and no consanguinity is present between the parents.

Behaviour of antithrombin III abnormalities in the crossed immunoelectrophoresis system.

Antithrombin III (AT III) abnormalities can be characterized by means of crossed immunoelectrophoresis. In the past, it was thought that the abnormalities could be demonstrated only if heparin is present in the system. Now some conditions (AT III Trento, for example) are known to show an abnormal pattern only in the absence of heparin.

Antithrombin III deficiency: a report of 14 cases belonging to three different kindreds.

A hereditary deficiency of AT III is described in 14 subjects belonging to three different kindreds. There is no consanguineity in any of the families investigated. The pattern of inheritance of defect appears autosomal dominant.

Excess of factor X antigen versus clotting counterpart in coumarin treated patients as determined by an Elisa method.

Factor X antigen was assayed by means of an Elisa (sandwich) method in 36 patients on long-term anticoagulant therapy. The average value observed was 31.4% +/- 12.