[Follow-up of blood donors with positive serology for hepatitis C virus and their recipients is insufficient].

Objectives: Our aim was to study the characteristics of blood donors with serum anti-HCV antibodies, their medical follow-up based on a questionnaire, and the follow-up of their recipients who were transfused before systematic screening of anti-HCV antibodies had begun.

Methods: From March 1990 to January 1992, 25,255 blood donors were tested by ELISA 1 or ELISA 2 serum tests and confirmed by RIBA 2 test in case of positivity: 126 (0.5%) were ELISA positive of whom 40 (0.

A microtiter plate assay for measurement of serum alanine aminotransferase in blood donors.

Background: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) testing in blood donors is required in many countries as a surrogate test for viral hepatitis. Current automated ALT assays do not fulfill some operational requirements of blood banks.

Study Design And Methods: The standard ALT measurement method of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry was adapted to the 96-well microtiter plate to obtain optimal conditions.

HLA class II typing and idiopathic IgA nephropathy (IgAN): DQB1*0301, a possible marker of unfavorable outcome.

Previous studies have reported associations between HLA antigens and Idiopathic IgA Nephropathy (IgAN). Nevertheless most of the studies were performed by serology. Thus we decided to perform the HLA class II typing of 58 patients by molecular biology techniques.

Identification of six novel CFTR mutations in a sample of Italian cystic fibrosis patients.

The spectrum of cystic fibrosis (CF) mutations has been determined in many populations of different ethnic and geographic origins. However, in the south of Europe, the commonest mutation, delta F508, accounts for only about 50% of CF chromosomes, while identification of most of the other mutant alleles has not been achieved. In an ongoing effort to identify these alleles, we have scanned the entire coding sequences of the CF gene using a GC clamp denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis assay in a sample of 57 chromosomes from patients of italian origin.

[Evaluation of Cell-Dyn 3500 in extreme values].

The quality tests made during the preparation of labile blood products permit to validate the product and to make sure the making procedures are applied properly. The labile blood products have to correspond to a number of standards set by a ministerial order. It is thus necessary to check the manufacturing unit of some products.

Retrospective study of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations in Guthrie cards from a large cohort of neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene encodes a cAMP-activated chloride channel, and in individuals with both alleles of the gene mutated, symptoms of CF disease are manifest. With more than 300 mutations so far described in the gene the profile of mutant alleles in a population is specific to its ethnic origin. For an analysis with an unbiased recruitment of the CF alleles in neonates of similar origin (Normandy, France), we have retrospectively analyzed the Guthrie cards of affected newborns, diagnosed by the immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) assay.

Hepatitis C virus infection and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Serum antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) were tested for inpatients undergoing allogeneic BMT to determine the risk of acquiring HCV infection and the role of HCV in posttransplant liver complications. The HCV seroconversion rate was evaluated according to the date of BMT and blood donor screening at the time. Anti-HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) were detected with a second-generation ELISA and confirmed with a second-generation radioimmunoblot assay.

[From the transfusion informationcard to the tracing of blood products].

The transfusion sheet established in 1985 with the aim of improving the immunological safety has not fulfilled the goal expected. Furthermore, it is now clear that the immunological safety does not necessarily imply transfusional safety only, though alertness in this field should be maintained. The residual post transfusional risk, though limited, should remain a permanent concern both for the transfuser and the prescriptor.

[Cystic fibrosis gene mutations in the West of France: clinical application].

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, responsible for the cystic fibrosis phenotype when both alleles are mutated, was cloned and sequenced in 1989. Since then, more than 400 mutations have been reported in the gene, although most of these are rare. We have systematically analysed the entire coding sequence of the CFTR gene in a cohort of patients originating from the West of France (Caen, Brest and Nantes).

Asymptomatic carrier of two CFTR mutations: consequences for prenatal diagnosis?

The cystic fibrosis (CF) gene has been observed to have the highest frequency of mutations in the Caucasian population. Prenatal diagnosis can now be performed with a high degree of accuracy since the identification of most of the gene's mutations, as well as the characterization of intragenic markers. However, the observation of a distribution of clinical phenotypes increases the need to identify a mild phenotype and avoid false-negative diagnosis.

[Reduction of the post-transfusion hepatitis C risk in patients undergoing bone marrow allograft].

Post-transfusion hepatitis C incidence was studied in a series of patients with bone marrow allograft. The risk of HCV seroconversion was evaluated according to the date of grafting and the screening tests carried out in blood donors at this time. Anti-HCV antibodies were screened using Elisa tests of 2d generation and confirmed by Riba tests of 2d generation.

Peripheral blood stem cell collection with a blood cell separator.

Forty-three patients with malignant nonmyeloid diseases underwent peripheral blood stem cell collections on an apheresis system (Spectra, COBE BCT, Lakewood, CO). Collections took place during the white cell (WBC) recovery phase following conditioning chemotherapy. One hundred two procedures were done after chemotherapy alone, and 72 procedures after chemotherapy plus granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

[Influence of clinical status on the efficacy of stored platelet transfusion].

The efficiency of stored platelet transfusion was evaluated in terms of clinical status in 136 thrombocytopenic patients. In a paired prospective study in which fresh platelets were used as controls, clinical efficiency was assessed on the basis of the ability to increase platelet count (recovery) and the interval to the next transfusion (D). In 48 clinically stable patients, recovery of fresh and stored platelets was similar (47% and 41% respectively) and the interval to the next transfusion was D4 and D3.

Genotype analysis of adult cystic fibrosis patients.

To assess the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of adult CF patients we have selected from a group of 512 CF patients attending centres in France, all these of greater than 35 years. We have analysed the entire coding sequence of their CFTR genes. The complete genotype was determined in 7 of the 8 patients and clinical data regarding pancreatic, respiratory and reproductive function were carefully evaluated.

Treatment of adult chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura with repeated high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin.

Intravenous (i.v.) infusions of Ig concentrates are an effective but expensive treatment for patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP).

Prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis in different European populations: application of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene, one of the most commonly mutated in the European population, was cloned in 1989 and since then has been extensively analysed in patients of various ethnic backgrounds. We have screened the entire coding sequences of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator gene and identified many mutations and polymorphisms. In this paper we propose a general strategy to improve prenatal diagnosis and genetic counselling of cystic fibrosis (CF).

[Irregular erythrocyte antibody screening using gel-test. Analysis of 35,882 samples].

The results of screening for irregular blood-group antibodies in 35,882 blood-specimens using the gel-test method were analysed. The samples came from different clinics and hospital units. 1,179 samples from 728 different individuals (3.

[Description and validation of a flow cytometric method to estimate residual leukocytes in leukocyte-depleted red cell concentrates].

We describe a flow-cytometric method for estimating residual white blood cells (WBC) counts in WBC depleted blood components, namely units of packed red cells. The method uses fluorescent staining of nuclear ADN with ethidium bromide. WBC nuclei are discriminated from background events using fluorescence ratio (585 nm versus 650 nm).

A novel mutation in exon 3 of the CFTR gene.

We have screened the 27 exons of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene in 87 non-delta F508 chromosomes of Breton origin using the combined techniques of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and direct sequencing. By this process, we have detected a new missense mutation, G91R, which results in an arginine for glycine at codon 91. Three affected patients with a delta F508/G91R genotype are pancreatic sufficient.

Frozen blood and transfusion-transmitted hepatitis C virus.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of frozen red cell transfusion on the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) before the introduction of blood donor screening. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 59 patients with sickle-cell disease who required chronic transfusions and had exclusively received frozen red blood cells (RBC). The files were reviewed for clinical signs of chronic hepatitis C.

Polycythaemia after myeloid metaplasia with fibrosis: an unusual sequence.

In November 1981, a 77-yr-old woman consulted for myeloid metaplasia with fibrosis. A persistent hyperleucocytosis was treated with hydroxyurea from March, 1985 to March, 1989. At that time facial dyskinesia and polycythaemia developed.

Detection of over 98% cystic fibrosis mutations in a Celtic population.

We have conducted a large systematic study of 365 cystic fibrosis (CF) chromosomes in a Celtic population from Brittany, France, in which we have been able to identify more than 98% of the cystic fibrosis gene mutations. We detected 19 different CFTR mutations located in 9 exons. Eleven of these mutations have not been described previously and nine of them are presented in this study.

Prolonged shelf stability and biocompatibility of a concentrated injectable fluorocarbon emulsion.

A four-year-old 100% w/v concentrated emulsion of perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB, perflubron) stored at 5 degrees C, when submitted to the close-to-total exchange-perfusion test in conscious rats (Hct 3-5%) still resulted in 75% survival. Particle size and size distribution, viscosity, pH were still in the acceptable range.