ABSTRACT
Background & Objective: The recommended treatment for beta thalassemia major involves regular blood transfusions, whichstimulate the patient’s immune system and results in the formation of antierytrocyte antibodies usually IgG class. They can result in clinical hemolysis and complication of blood cross matching. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of RBC alloantibodies, the type of these antibodies, factors influencing on alloimmunization among multiple- transfused thalassemia major patients. Methodology: ABO blood grouping,Rh (D) typesand Phenotyping done by the electromagnetic technology using Qwalys 3 Diagast. Antibody screening was done by using 3-cell panel followed by11- cell panel of Biorad Corporation. Results: 10 patients developed alloantibodies against RBC Antigen. Among total alloimmunizedpatients, 7.35%were female and 4.27% were male. Majority of alloantibodies were directed against antigen in the Rh and Kell system. i. e. Anti c, Anti E and Anti K. Frequency of Alloantibody positivism is maximum in AB positive patients. From extended Antigen typing of voluntary donors, we can see the frequency of D, C and e Antigens are more than frequency of c, E and K Antigens. Conclusion: Frequency of red cell alloimmunizationwas 5.40% in this study. Alloantibodies found were mainly against Rh blood group systemand Kell system. Red cell alloantibody formation was not influenced by age at first transfusion, number of blood transfusion, splenectomy and leuckodepleted blood transfusion. In our study alloimmunized patients did not revealed any evidence of haemolytic transfusion reaction. The frequency of Antibody positivity depends on immunogenicity of Antigen. Females and group AB patients are showing more frequency of alloimmunization. Routine pretransfusion matching of blood, other than ABO and RhD antigen is not recommended because of low rate of red cell alloimmunization and high cost associated with such testing.
ABSTRACT
Background & Objective: The high prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis has heightened the problems of blood safety in India. TTIs cause fatal, chronic and life-threatening disorders because of their prolonged viraemia and carrier or latent state. Serologic tests utilized routinely in the screening of blood donors, totally not guarantee the absence of these infections among blood donors. Methodology: Samples of HIV, HBsAg, HCV were tested by ELISA and samples of syphilis were tested by RPR method following manufacturer’s instructions. Results: Prevalence of HBV was highest within at the age groups 26-35 years, HCV within the age group between 36-45years, syphilis within the age group between 46-55 years and HIV between 26-35 years. The prevalence of hepatitis B and syphilis was higher among males as compared to females, while for hepatitis C and HIV, it was higher among females as compared to males. Conclusion: Availability of safe blood for transfusion can be achieved by vigorous screening of donors and donated blood. Screening of blood is now mandatory for many diseases and is undertaken routinely in blood banks. The prevalence of TTIs among the Indian blood donors is reported to be ranging as follows; HBV – 0.66% to 12%, HCV – 0.5% to 1.5%, HIV– 0.084% to 3.87%, and syphilis – 0.85% to 3% respectively. Hence strict selection of blood donors with stringent screening and safe methods of detection can minimise risk if TTI.
ABSTRACT
Introduction and Aim-Objective: Regulatory authority and voluntary accreditation organization require particular records and documents to be maintained for the operation of the blood bank. It can be accomplished using blood bank data management (BDMS) software in a less labor-intensive manner as compared to manual methods provided that the technical staff is properly trained. Many of the near miss events could be prevented with the use of blood bank software ensuring better patient safety. Hemovigilance scheme though not yet well established in our country which requires robust data management and compilation can be easily retrieved from the software. We present below reports on the effectiveness of Blood Bank Data Management System in strengthening of Blood Transfusion Services. The main aim of the study was to compare computer software with traditional hand-written documents for record management and evaluate BDMS in prevention of near-miss events. Materials and Methods: A comparative study between record keeping by conventional registers and Blood bank Data Management System (BDMS) software was done for period of six months from September 2011 to February 2012. Each of the entry was duplicated in both during this study period. Each of the technicians using the software was asked to rate the user friendliness of the system using an objective method of scoring to prevent any bias. The time taken to enter each donor/patient data manually and on software was also compared. Results: All mandatory registers were electronically maintained. The time taken for the each register was significantly less by the software. The inventory of consumables was excellently managed. Also, the equipment records required to be maintained were available at the click of a mouse. 6 out of 15,220 samples were found to contain Wrong Blood In Tube (WBIT) based on traceability system of prior sample received of the same patient which could have been undetected with manual methods and 4 out of these 6 would have resulted in fatal Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction. Apart from this, two-way traceability of blood products was maintained. 30 out of 35 technicians rated the software as “Excellent” with respect to user friendliness. Conclusion: BDMS is a reinforcing tool in the data management and prevention of near miss events leading to improved safety in Blood transfusion Services.
ABSTRACT
Background & Objectives: To study the prevalence of HIV, HBsAg, HCV & syphilis in blood donors. Methods: The seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg & syphilis among voluntary and replacement donors was analyzed for a period of 16 years (January 1996 to December 2011) and for HCV for a period of 10 years and 7 months (June 2001 to December 2011) at Department of Immunohaematology & Blood Transfusion, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. In this period, a total of 2, 81,665 donors were tested, out of which, 2, 00,903 (71.3%)were replacement donors and 80,762 (28.7%)were voluntary donors. HIV, HBsAg & HCV were tested by ELISA method and syphilis by RPR method. Results: Total seropositivity was 1071(0.380%) for HIV, 2900 (1.102%) for HBsAg, 599 (0.306 %) for HCV & 1522(0.540 %) for syphilis. In replacement donors, seropositivity for HIV was 891(0.443%), HBsAg was 2299(1.144%), HCV was 437(0.330%) & syphilis was 1130(0.562%). In voluntary donors, seropositivity for HIV was 180(0.222%), HBsAg was 601(0.744%), HCV was 162(0.257%) & syphilis was 392(0.485%). Conclusion: The present study indicates that higher seroprevalence rates for HIV, HBsAg, HCV & syphilis were observed in replacement donors as compared to voluntary donors.
ABSTRACT
Background:Although blood transfusion is a life saving therapy, it is associated with various ill effects, which can cause increased morbidity and mortality in recipients. Testing of all donated blood for transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) such as HIV I & II, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis is one of the strategies recommended by WHO to ensure safe blood. However, if the donor is already having an infection, transmissible by blood, the transfusion will be rather hazardous for the recipient. The national blood policy of India 2002 advocates the disclosure of results of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) to blood donors. Aim:To assess the attitude of the transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) reactive blood donor in response to the post-donation calls from blood bank. Material and methods: A total of 20865 blood donors came to the department of IHBT in period of one year from 1St November 2009 to 31St October 2010.All donated blood was screened against HIV I & II , Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis and malaria. On screening the units, it was found that 391 donation units (1.874 %) were positive for one of the TTIs, namely HIV I & II, HBsAg, HCV or syphilis. As follow-up, these donors were recalled at blood bank by a phone call. Results: out of 391 reactive donors only 236 responded to call (average response rate was 60.36%). Conclusion: The study suggest that authorities should frame some guidelines and rules that can increase the response rate among reactive donors and make them assessable because it enables their future investigation and treatment and the prevention of diseases transmission to the community.