Complete Blood Count Reference Values of Donated Cord Blood from Korean Neonates / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: In the public cord blood (CB) banks, only safe CB units with adequate cell doses are processed and stored. Complete blood count (CBC) of CB is crucial for estimating total nucleated cells (TNC) and screening suitable CB units without hematologic abnormalities. We analyzed CBC parameters of the donated CB from healthy Korean neonates to establish CBC reference values. METHODS: A total of 2,129 Korean CB units, donated and processed during the period from August 2007 to December 2007, were enrolled. We measured hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC) count, differential count of WBC, platelets and nucleated red blood cell (nRBC) count by XE-2100 automated hematology analyzer (Sysmex, Japan), and estimated reference value of each parameter by using parametric (Mean+/-2SD) and/or non-parametric methods (2.5-97.5 percentile). And also, we compared the result of each parameter in relation to sex of neonates and delivery method. RESULTS: Because the differences of CBC values among different subgroups were not remarkable, we established the reference intervals as follows without subgroup division: Hb, 9.0-14.4 g/dL; WBC count, 5.6-18.5x103/microL; differential count of WBC (neutrophils, 40.8-72.4%; lymphocytes, 17.2-46.7%; monocytes, 4.9-12.8%; eosinophils, 0.7-7.0%; basophils, 0.0-1.6%); platelet, 130-287x103/microL; nRBCs, 0.0-13.1/100 WBC. CONCLUSIONS: We established cord blood CBC reference values of healthy Korean neonates using a large-scale CB units. The established CBC reference values from our study will be useful as basic data for CBC interpretation and assessment of transplant suitability of donated CB.

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.