[Evaluasion and comparison of washed RBCs by closed and open systems]

Leukocyte filters are effective for WBC reduction but they cannot inhibit passing plasma proteins and as a result repeated protein entry may produce allergic transfusion reactions. To deal with this problem, washed RBC method is used. The traditional wash method is an open system through which waste products are carried away in sewers with the risk of environmental pollution. Newly introduced approach for washed RBCs consists of a closed system whereby waste products enter into a bag. In this study, the two methods were compared. The Two open and close wash methods were compared in terms of health system, leukoreduction, risk of transmission of infection and quality control. In each method, 100 bags were washed, coded and then transmitted to different units of blood culture, flowcytometry as well as quality control. The data were collected and analyzed by SPSS14. 200 bags [100 for each method] were studied. Microbiologically, there were no positive results for any of the methods. In quality control also there was not any significant difference in the two methods. In flowcytometry, we didn.t observe any significant correlation in leukocyte count in the two methods before washing [p=0.072], however.there was correlation between them after washing [p<0.0001], demonstrating that the new method was better for leukoreduction. The new washing system method was a superior way because it involves a close system where waste products are discharged into a side bag and disposed as hospital waste. Meanwhile, this approach is more convenient for leukoreduction. In our country, since we still need a washing system for some transfusions, this method is deemed to be a decent and practical one because it impedes environmental pollution

Evaluation and comparison of washed RBCs by closed and open systems

Leukocyte filters are effective for WBC reduction but they cannot inhibit passing plasma proteins and as a result repeated protein entry may produce allergic transfusion reactions. To deal with this problem, washed RBC method is used. The traditional wash method is an open system through which waste products are carried away in sewers with the risk of environmental pollution. Newly introduced approach for washed RBCs consists of a closed system whereby waste products enter into a bag. In this study, the two methods were compared. The two open and closed wash methods were compared in terms of health system, leukoreduction, risk of transmission of infection and quality control. In each method, 100 bags were washed, coded and then transmitted to different units of blood culture, flowcytometry as well as quality control. The data were collected and analyzed by SPSS 14. 200 bags [100 for each method] were studied. Microbiologically, there were no positive results for any of the methods. In quality control also there was not any significant difference in the two methods. In flowcytometry, we didn't observe any significant correlation in leukocyte count in the two methods before washing [p=0.072], however. The correlation between them after washing [p<0.0001], demonstrating that the new method was better for leukoreduction. The new washing system method was a superior way because it involves a closed system where waste products are discharged into a side bag and disposed as hospital waste. Meanwhile, this approach is more convenient for leukoreduction. In our country, since we still need a washing system for some transfusions, this method is deemed to be a decent and practical one because it impedes environmental pollution

Performance of hospital blood transfusion committees in Tehran [2005-2006]

Hospital blood transfusion committees supervise blood transfusion in hospitals. These committees could save time and cost by prevention of blood loss. This study was conducted to assess the performance of hospital blood transfusion committees in Tehran in 2005-2006. In this retrospective study, 46 reports from 13 hospitals [9 community and 4 private] being sent to Tehran Blood Transfusion Center in 2005-2006 were assessed. All reports were assessed from the perspective of duties entrusted by Iranian Ministry of Health. These duties were classified as [1] report of blood transfusion complications, [2] statistical report of blood transfusions, [3] statistical report of blood orders from different wards of hospitals, [4] report of blood transfusion indications, [5] report of educational programs, and [6] assessment of personnel problems and equipment of blood banks. Report of blood transfusion complications [77%] and report of blood transfusion indications [23%] were the most and the least reported duties, respectively. The most and the least relative frequencies for all hospitals, community, and private hospitals were 23%-77%, 33%-78% and 0%-75%, respectively. Committee reports in community hospitals were better than private ones, though the difference was not statistically significant [p>0.05]. Cross match to transfusion ratio was considerable only in one hospital [3.05]. This study showed that reports of hospital blood transfusion committees in Tehran in 2005-2006 are in a relatively poor condition. This condition in private hospitals was worse than community ones. More focus on reports of blood transfusion indications seems to be necessary. Since cross match to transfusion ratio is an important performance indicator for hospitals, it should receive a higher level of attention of hospital committees

Frequency and biochemical expression of hemochromatosis [HFE] gene mutations in 1029 blood donors in Iran

There are no data on the frequency and biochemical expression of the hemochromatosis associated mutations, C282Y and H63D, in Iranian adult population. This is the first study among Iranians that may advocate a screening program. We investigated the frequency of the C282Y/H63D HFE gene mutations in a group of 1029 randomly selected Iranian blood donors as well as transferrin saturation [TS], serum iron and serum ferritin levels. DNA extraction with salting-out method was performed on blood samples and the analysis of HFE gene mutations was performed by PCR amplification followed by digestion with RsaI and BclI restriction enzymes. The mean age of donors was 40 +/- 11 years and 92.7% were male. No homozygosity was detected for the C282Y mutation. Heterozygosity for the C282Y mutation was 0.2%, while homozygosity and heterozygosity for the H63D mutation were 1.6% and 19.6%, respectively. There was no compound heterozygote for the C282Y/H63D mutation. These data resulted in allele frequencies of 0.1% and 11.3% for C282Y and H63D mutations, respectively. Serum iron and TS were not influenced by the type of C282Y and H63D mutation. There was no difference in ferritin levels according to type of HFE mutations among blood donors. This study shows low allele frequency for C282Y and H63D mutations in Iran. These results also suggest that there is not any association between HFE gene mutations and iron, TS and ferritin level among Iranian population. The genetic screening for the HFE gene mutation in Iran is not recommended until the true prevalence of other mutations in all hemochromatosis genes could be established