Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Surveillance-Vaccination- and Infection-Induced Seroprevalences in Western Austria 2024.

Reported tick-borne-encephalitis (TBE) cases have been increasing in Western Austria, but no data are available on vaccination- and infection-specific seroprevalence. This study aimed to estimate current TBEV-seroprevalence in the region and inform prevention programs by comparing anti-NS1-based-incidence rates with reported case numbers and vaccination coverage. Between December 2023 and February 2024, serum samples from 4619 blood donors in Western Austria were collected and analyzed using TBEV- and WNV-IgG-ELISA assays.

The Novel HLA-B*15:693 Allele Identified by Next-Generation Sequencing.

The novel allele HLA-B*15:693 has 5 nucleotide differences compared with HLA-B*15:18:07.

Anti-HBs Seroprevalence in Blood Donors from Tyrol, Austria.

Antibodies against the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) are a marker of immunity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. There is uncertainty about the anti-HBs seroprevalence in the general population of Austria. : We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in blood donors from the Federal State of Tyrol in Austria (August-September 2023) to estimate anti-HBs seroprevalence and median antibody levels.

Anti-Spike IgG antibodies as correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the pre-Omicron and Omicron era.

Anti-Spike IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which are elicited by vaccination and infection, are correlates of protection against infection with pre-Omicron variants. Whether this association can be generalized to infections with Omicron variants is unclear. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with 8457 blood donors in Tyrol, Austria, analyzing 15,340 anti-Spike IgG antibody measurements from March 2021 to December 2022 assessed by Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG II chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.

HemoCue Hb-801 Provides More Accurate Hemoglobin Assessment in Blood Donors Than OrSense NBM-200.

Hemoglobin levels are commonly assessed to prevent causing or worsening of anemia in prospective blood donors. We compared head-to-head the accuracy of different technologies for measuring hemoglobin suitable for use in mobile donation units. We included 144 persons donating platelets at the Central Institute for Blood Transfusion and Immunology in Innsbruck, Austria.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Seroprevalence in Tyrol, Austria, among 28,768 Blood Donors between May 2022 and March 2023.

Background: To provide updated estimates on SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence and average antibody titres for Central Europe.

Methods: In repeat cross-sectional investigations (1 May 2022 to 9 March 2023) involving 28,768 blood donors in the Federal State of Tyrol, Austria (participation rate: 87.0%), we measured Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and Nucleocapsid IgG antibodies (37,065 and 12,645 samples), and estimated monthly seroprevalences and geometric mean titres.

C tracer analysis reveals the landscape of metabolic checkpoints in human CD8 T cell differentiation and exhaustion.

Introduction: Naïve T cells remain in an actively maintained state of quiescence until activation by antigenic signals, upon which they start to proliferate and generate effector cells to initiate a functional immune response. Metabolic reprogramming is essential to meet the biosynthetic demands of the differentiation process, and failure to do so can promote the development of hypofunctional exhausted T cells.

Methods: Here we used 13C metabolomics and transcriptomics to study the metabolism of CD8+ T cells in their complete course of differentiation from naïve over stem-like memory to effector cells and in exhaustion-inducing conditions.

Antibody Serosurveillance in Tyrol: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study of a Healthy Population.

The rare, but emerging mold is an important pathogen in some geographical areas, like Tyrol (Austria) and Houston (Texas). The reason for this high prevalence is unknown. The present serosurveillance study aimed to evaluate the trends in levels of -specific IgG antibodies in various regions of Tyrol and to compare the results to the environmental spread of in Tyrol.

Molecular Screening of Blood Donors for in Tyrol, Austria.

Introduction: is a tick-borne intraerythrocytic parasite that is globally ubiquitous, yet understudied. Several species of have been shown to be transfusion-transmissible. has been reported in blood donors, animals, and ticks in the Tyrol (Western Austria), and regional cases of human babesiosis have been described.

Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Tyrol, Austria: Updated Analysis Involving 22,607 Blood Donors Covering the Period October 2021 to April 2022.

Because a large proportion of the Austrian population has been infected with SARS-CoV-2 during high incidence periods in winter 2021/2022, up-to-date estimates of seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are required to inform upcoming public health policies. We quantified anti-Spike IgG antibody levels in 22,607 individuals that donated blood between October 2021 and April 2022 across Tyrol, Austria (participation rate: 96.0%).

Seroprevalence, Waning and Correlates of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Tyrol, Austria: Large-Scale Study of 35,193 Blood Donors Conducted between June 2020 and September 2021.

There is uncertainty about the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Austria and about the waning of antibodies over time. We conducted a seroepidemiological study between June 2020 and September 2021, enrolling blood donors aged 18-70 years across Tyrol, Austria (participation rate: 84.0%).

Clinical validation of the Siemens quantitative SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG assay (sCOVG) reveals improved sensitivity and a good correlation with virus neutralization titers.

Objectives: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections cause coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and induce a specific antibody response. Serological assays detecting IgG against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike (S) protein are useful to monitor the immune response after infection or vaccination. The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical performance of the Siemens SARS-CoV-2 IgG (sCOVG) assay.

Evaluation of four commercial, fully automated SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests suggests a revision of the Siemens SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay.

Objectives: Serological tests detect antibodies against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the ongoing coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Independent external clinical validation of performance characteristics is of paramount importance.

Methods: Four fully automated assays, Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2, Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG, Siemens SARS-CoV-2 total (COV2T) and SARS-CoV-2 IgG (COV2G) were evaluated using 350 pre-pandemic samples and 700 samples from 245 COVID-19 patients (158 hospitalized, 87 outpatients).

Concordance with established tests and reproducibility of results obtained with a new single antigen chip array for HLA antibody detection (HISTO SPOT® HLA AB).

The purpose of this study was to analyze performance of a new single antigen chip array system (HISTO SPOT® HLA AB) developed for HLA antibody detection and compare with results obtained using single antigen Luminex-based systems and serum samples from the Eurotransplant external proficiency testing scheme. Results were analysed from 11 independent Eurotransplant laboratories using HISTO SPOT® HLA AB utilising the Eurotransplant external proficiency testing (EPT) sera and these were compared to published results from 67 labs using the Luminex-based technologies. In addition, QC results from different batches of the test were analysed.

Early autologous and allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for adult patients with acute B and T cell precursor neoplasms: a 12-year single center experience.

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL/LBL) is a rare and heterogeneous malignancy characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of B or T cell precursor cells. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the outcome of early autologous stem cell transplantation in standard-risk patients in first complete remission (n=24) and of allogeneic transplantation in high and highest risk, and relapsed/refractory patients (n=35). The 10-year overall survival after autologous transplantation was 45%.

Linkage of alterations in systemic iron homeostasis to patients' outcome in sepsis: a prospective study.

Background: Sepsis, a dysregulated host response following infection, is associated with massive immune activation and high mortality rates. There is still a need to define further risk factors and laboratory parameters predicting the clinical course. Iron metabolism is regulated by both, the body's iron status and the immune response.

The Human G Protein-Coupled ATP Receptor P2Y Is Associated With IL-10 Driven Macrophage Differentiation.

The G protein-coupled P2Y receptor is known to sense extracellular ATP during inflammatory and immune responses. The dinucleotide NAD has also been proposed to be a P2Y receptor ligand but its role is less clear. Here, we have examined for the first time human P2Y receptor protein levels and show that the receptor was upregulated during polarization of M2 macrophages.

A multicentre evaluation of the Elecsys HIV Duo assay.

Background: Fourth generation HIV assays, which detect both HIV p24 antigen and HIV antibodies are widely used in HIV screening. The combination of markers enables the fourth generation assays to shorten the window of detection, which is important in real-world testing scenarios. The Elecsys HIV Duo assay is a fourth generation assay, which provides an overall result based on both the detection of the p24 antigen and HIV antibodies, and lists the sub-results for the antibody and antigen units.

Anti-HLA alloantibodies of the IgA isotype in re-transplant candidates part II: Correlation with graft survival.

We reported previously on the widespread occurrence of anti-HLA alloantibodies of the IgA isotype (anti-HLA IgA) in the sera of solid-organ re-transplantation (re-tx) candidates (Arnold et al., ). Specifically focussing on kidney re-tx patients, we now extended our earlier findings by examining the impact of the presence and donor specificity of anti-HLA IgA on graft survival.

No molecular or serological evidence of Zikavirus infection among healthy blood donors living in or travelling to regions where Aedes albopictus circulates.

Background: Previous studies have shown that Zika virus can infect and be transmitted by A. albopictus. The World Health organization (WHO) has raised concerns of autochthonous transmission of the virus in regions where the vector is endemic.

Evaluation of Sensitivity and Specificity Performance of Elecsys HTLV-I/II Assay in a Multicenter Study in Europe and Japan.

Screening of blood for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and type 2 (HTLV-1 and -2, respectively) is important to diagnose and prevent infection and ensure the safety of blood supplies. The Elecsys HTLV-I/II assay is a newly developed, electrochemiluminescence screening assay for the detection of HTLV-1/2 infection. The sensitivity and specificity of the Elecsys HTLV-I/II assay were determined using well-characterized HTLV-1/2-positive serum and plasma samples and routine diagnostic and blood donor samples expected to be HTLV negative, respectively.

Patient outcomes and amotosalen/UVA-treated platelet utilization in massively transfused patients.

Background: Amotosalen/UVA-treated platelet concentrates (PCs) have demonstrated efficacy for treating and preventing bleeding in clinical trials and in routine use; however, most studies were performed in haematology/oncology patients. We investigated efficacy during massive transfusion (MT) in general hospitalized patients.

Methods: Universal amotosalen/UVA treatment (INTERCEPT Blood System) of platelets was introduced at a large Austrian medical centre.