Blood transfusion and cancer recurrence: a brief review

There is a growing evidence to support the hypothesis that blood transfusion is associated with an increased risk of cancer recurrence and survival. Evidence is also accumulating to suggest that whole blood transfusion or at least certain type of blood components have immunomodulatory effects in man. The mechanisms by which these effects are produced are unclear. There are many negative and conflicting studies concerning this hypothesis and the overall data should not deter the careful investigation of transfusion practice in cancer patients. The benefits must be weighed against risks. Despite concern about transfusion transmitted diseases, there is evidence that unnecessary transfusion still practiced with a tendency to use multiple units during surgery. Pre-operative anaemia should be corrected by haematinics. It may be necessary to put more effort to prevent surgical bleeding and consider the use of autologous donation if the anaemia is not a concern. Use of washed red cells or plasma and leucocyte depleted red cells may help in preventing recurrence in patients undergoing surgery for aforesaid malignancies. Also a sagacious consultation with transfusion service may be helpful

Monoclonal antibodies: an evaluation in routine blood group serology

The monoclonal anti-A, anti-B, and anti-AB were evaluated in parallel with conventional human antisera to test their suitability as routine blood grouping reagents in the present working conditions of the Central Blood Bank, Salmaniya Medical Centre. The tests for specificity, avidity, antibody titre and firmness of agglutination were carried out. The monoclonal antibodies performed well compared to the human antisera and produced a distinct agglutination in slide and tube method. Monoclonal antibodies can be used safely in routine blood group serology and in various disease conditions. They appear to be cost effective in the long run

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia: a case report

A first case of Waldenstrom' s Macroglobulinaemia is reported from Bahrain and its clinical, hematological and biochemical differentiation from other conditions are discussed

Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Bahraini blood donors

Glucose -6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, a genetic defect, underlying the biochemical red cell abnormality is the most common red cell enzyme disorder and occurs world wide. Blood from donors with G6PD-deficiency survives normally unless the recipient is given certain oxidant drugs which may lead to a rapid destruction of the G6PD-deficient cells. 2680 male Bahraini blood donors attending the Central Blood Bank, Salmaniya Medical Centre were screened for G6PD-deficiency. The result of the study showed that 26.4% blood donors were G6PD- deficient. It is proposed to estimate quantitative enzyme levels to identify G6PD variants in the population to assess the extent of its severity, and a clinical trial to assess the effect of blood transfusion on patients receiving G6PD-deficient donor cells

Significance of some red cell alloantibodies in blood transfusion

The detection of in vitro incompatibility between an antibody in a patient's serum and an antigen on a donor's red cells does not always mean the destruction of cells in vivo. It may be costly and time consuming to find a compatible unit in alloantibodies with no clinical significance. It is necessary to review the behaviours, characteristics and specificity to find out the potential significance of antibodies when facilities for their detection are lacking. Knowledge of the frequency distribution of antigen in the population is also necessary. It is possible on many occasions in spite of the shortened survival of red cells to transfuse a patient where delay in the search for antibodies is not acceptable. Evaluation of clinical indications, urgency and consultation with blood bank staff by the patient's physician are important for the satisfactory outcome of transfusion