ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: The well-being of donors undergoing frequent plateletpheresis has been a matter of concern. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of frequent plateletpheresis on the haematological parameters (HP) of repeat donors. Methods: The study was conducted during February 2016 to March 2017 on all the repeat plateletpheresis donors undergoing the 2nd plateletpheresis within a month of the first in a tertiary care centre. Donors repeating plateletpheresis 3rd and 4th times were also studied. The values of the HP observed on follow up after plateletpheresis done on three different separators were compared. Results: HPs of the 98 donors were similar at follow up except mean platelet volume (P <0.05). Of the 98 donors, 35 were followed up within a week and 63 were followed up within 8-30 days. No significant alteration was found in the HPs except a significant difference in the variation of platelet counts of the two groups (P=0.025). In 34 donors who presented 3rd time for plateletpheresis (mean gap between 1st and 3rd plateletpheresis=31 days), no significant differences in the HPs were found except the platelet distribution width (P <0.05). Minimal difference in the HP was found in the baseline and the follow up of 3rd plateletpheresis i.e., at 4th plateletpheresis donation. Plateletpheresis through all the three cell separators used had similar effects on the follow up HPs. Interpretation & conclusions: Repeated plateletpheresis can be done without any detrimental effects on the cell counts of the plateletpheresis donors. The three cell separators yielded similar post-donation follow up haematological parameters.
ABSTRACT
Background. In July 2010, we started universal individual donor nucleic acid testing (ID-NAT) at our blood bank. This test simultaneously detects human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in samples of donor blood. We continued to do the enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for these agents, as per the guidelines of the Drug Controller General of India. We assessed the impact of ID-NAT in preventing transfusionassociated transmission of viruses. Methods. We used fourth generation ELISA to screen blood samples of all voluntary and replacement blood donors. ID-NAT was done by transcription-mediated amplification (TMA). Results. Of the 18 356 donors, ID-NAT could not be performed on 2 samples which were inadequate. Of the 18 354 donors tested by both ID-NAT and fourth generation ELISA, 7 were found to be NAT-positive but ELISA-negative (NAT yield) for HBV and HCV. The prevalence of NAT yield cases among routine donors was 1 in 2622 donations tested (0.038%). Since we supply blood as components (packed red cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrate), these 7 units of blood would have yielded 21 components and hence 21 patients could have been infected with HBV and HCV viruses. Conclusion. In the vast majority of blood units tested, the results of ELISA and ID-NAT for HIV-1, HBV and HCV were concordant. ID-NAT did detect the presence of viruses missed by ELISA in some blood units. It widespread use in blood banks would ensure safer blood transfusion.