Analysis of Mycoplasma Contamination in Donated Cord Blood Units / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma spp. occasionally colonize the genital tract and these organisms are some of the most important contaminants in cell culture laboratories and cell banks. We analyzed the Mycoplasma contamination rates in the donated cord blood units (CBUs) before cell processing. METHODS: A total of 151 CBUs that were donated with informed consent (November 3rd~December 28th, 2006) were randomly selected and enrolled in the study. We performed blood culture and Mycoplasma DNA PCR assay with using samples from the collection bags before processing. RESULTS: All of the CBUs were obtained from full-term (gestational age 37~42 weeks) deliveries. Two units showed positive results on blood culture however, Mycoplasma DNA is not found in the tested samples. CONCLUSION: The contamination rates of Mycoplasma in the CBUs, which are donated from the mothers who have full-term delivery and no pregnancy complications, are extremely low. The donated CBUs could be used in culture and for an expansion process without concern of incurring pre-processing Mycoplasma contamination. The rate of Mollicute contamination in the CBUs could become clear with the results of performing Ureaplasma assay.

Ureaplasma Contamination Rate in Donated Cord Blood Units / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Ureaplasma is one of the most common microorganisms in the genital tract, and also one of the most important contaminants in cell culture laboratories and cell banks. We analyzed the Ureaplasma contamination rate in donated cord blood units (CBUs) before cell processing. METHODS: One hundred fifty-one donated CBUs with informed consent collected between 3 November and 28 December 2006 were randomly selected and enrolled for study. All of the CBUs were obtained from full-term (37~42 weeks gestation) deliveries. We performed blood cultures and Ureaplasma DNA PCR assays using samples from the collection bags before processing. RESULTS: Two CBUs had positive blood culture results; however, Ureaplasma DNA was not found in the samples tested. CONCLUSION: The contamination rate of Ureaplasma in the donated CBUs from full-term deliveries without gestational and/or perinatal complications was extremely low. With the results of our previous Mycoplasma contamination assay (0%), donated CBUs can be used in culture and expansion processes without concerns for pre-processing mollicute contamination.

Cord Blood Volume Reduction Using the Automated Devices Sepax(R) S-100 and AXP(TM) AutoXpress Platform / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: A successful cord blood (CB) bank requires long-term storage of a large number of CB units with good quality. To provide an optimal storage condition and to solve issues of space, many techniques have been developed to remove the plasma and RBC with maintenance of the quality and cell dose. We compared the results of the use of two different automated systems with the hydroxyethyl starch (HES) sedimentation method used in routine manual processing. METHODS: A total of 38 donated CB units with informed consent (18 June 2007~16 July 2007) were randomly selected and enrolled. We performed volume reduction of 20 units with the Sepax(R) S-100 (Sepax), 18 units with the AXP(TM) AutoXpress Platform (AXP), and compared the levels of nucleated cell recoveries, viability, and CD34+ cell/total nucleated cells (TNC) with the levels of 20 units processed using the HES method in the same period. The correlations of the initial TNC with cell recoveries were also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean values of the TNC recoveries, viabilities, and CD34+ cell/TNC among the three methods were similar (P=0.75; P=0.13; P=0.75). However, the MNC recovery was significantly higher with the use of the AXP system (89.2%, P<0.001) than the other methods. The Sepax system also showed a reduced SD for TNC recovery. Moreover, cell recovery rates were independent of the initial TNC counts. CONCLUSION: The Sepax and AXP automated cord blood process systems allow similar cell recoveries and viability as compared with the HES method. With the results of this study, a cord blood bank may be able to use an automated system considering the facility, personnel and the workload.