Human immunodeficiency virus 1 dual-target nucleic acid technology improves blood safety: 5 years of experience of the German Red Cross blood donor service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen.

Background: RNA viruses are associated with a high frequency of mutations because of the missing proofreading function of polymerases, such as reverse transcriptase. Between 2007 and 2010, six blood donations with false-negative nucleic acid technology (NAT) results were reported in Germany. Therefore, NAT screening in two viral genome regions was introduced by our blood donation service in 2010 on a voluntary basis and became mandatory in Germany since the beginning of 2015.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of a pathogen inactivation technology against clinically relevant transfusion-transmitted bacterial strains.

Background: To increase blood safety, various procedures are currently implemented, including donor selection, optimized donor arm disinfection, and diversion. In addition, pathogen inactivation (PI) techniques can be used for platelets (PLTs) and plasma concentrates.

Study Design And Methods: This study investigated the clinical efficacy of an inactivation technique for different blood components at two time points (12 and 35.

A validation protocol and evaluation algorithms to determine compatibility of cell therapy product matrices in microbiological testing.

As part of product release testing, "sterility" of cellular therapy products, using formally validated methods, must be demonstrated, irrespective of whether products are released and administered while microbiological results are pending or whether these can be awaited. Components of the matrix, i.e.

Emerging Pathogens - How Safe is Blood?

During the last few decades, blood safety efforts were mainly focused on preventing viral infections. However, humanity's increased mobility and improved migration pathways necessitate a global perspective regarding other transfusion-transmitted pathogens. This review focuses on the general infection risk of blood components for malaria, dengue virus, Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease) and Babesia spp.

Effects of storage temperature on hematopoietic stability and microbial safety of BM aspirates.

Bone marrow (BM) remains a common source for hematopoietic SCT. Due to the transcutaneous approach, contamination with skin bacteria is common. The delay between harvest and transfusion can be considerable, potentially allowing for bacterial proliferation.