Serological Profile of SARS-CoV-2 in Unvaccinated Blood Donors: A Nationwide Study During the Fifth Wave of the Pandemic in Iran

Background: Serological studies can demonstrate pathogen circulation in regional populations and reflect public health mea-sures' effectiveness during different pandemic phases. By late November 2021, coinciding with the third pandemic wave, the sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies among the Iranian population was 32.63%. Objective(s): This study aimed to assess the Iranian population's seroprevalence during the fifth pandemic wave by analyzing donated blood samples. Method(s): This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Iranian blood donors referred to all 31 main provincial capitals between August 2021 and September 2021. The participants selected through quota sampling were asked to complete a questionnaire on socio-demographics and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related information. Also, SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies were measured in serum samples using SARS-CoV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The seroprevalence was weighted based on the gender and age groups of the population and then adjusted for test performance. Result(s): Totally 3,339 blood donors participated in this study. The overall population-weighted seroprevalence adjusted for test performance was 52.67% (95% confidence interval (CI): 50.14-55.21). Seroprevalence was higher among participants with a high school diploma (55.45%, 95% CI 50.61-60.29), a positive history of close contact with COVID-19 patients (65.23%, 95% CI 60.83-69.63), and previous positive COVID-19 PCR tests (86.51%, 95% CI 82.32-90.7). Conclusion(s): More than half of the study population was exposed to SARS-CoV-2, indicating a 1.7-fold increase in the seroprevalence between late November 2020 and mid-September 2021. Our finding illuminated the pattern of Iran's fifth wave of the pandemic.Copyright © 2023, Author(s).

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Uganda: 2019-2022.

BACKGROUND: The true burden of COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries remains poorly characterized, especially in Africa. Even prior to the availability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, countries in Africa had lower numbers of reported COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths than other regions globally. METHODS: Ugandan blood donors were evaluated between October 2019 and April 2022 for IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N), spike (S), and five variants of the S protein using multiplexed electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (MesoScale Diagnostics, Rockville, MD). Seropositivity for N and S was assigned using manufacturer-provided cutoffs and trends in seroprevalence were estimated by quarter. Statistically significant associations between N and S antibody seropositivity and donor characteristics in November-December 2021 were assessed by chi-square tests. RESULTS: A total of 5393 blood unit samples from donors were evaluated. N and S seropositivity increased throughout the pandemic to 82.6% in January-April 2022. Among seropositive individuals, N and S antibody levels increased ≥9-fold over the study period. In November-December 2021, seropositivity to N and S antibody was higher among repeat donors (61.3%) compared with new donors (55.1%; p = .043) and among donors from Kampala (capital city of Uganda) compared with rural regions (p = .007). Seropositivity to S antibody was significantly lower among HIV-seropositive individuals (58.8% vs. 84.9%; p = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Despite previously reported low numbers of COVID-19 cases and related deaths in Uganda, high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and increasing antibody levels among blood donors indicated that the country experienced high levels of infection over the course of the pandemic.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma utilization in the United States: data from the National Inpatient Sample.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) use between October-December 2020 was characterized using the National Inpatient Sample database. CCP was administered in 18.0% of COVID-19-associated hospitalizations, and was strongly associated with older age and increased disease severity. There were disparities in the receipt of CCP by race and ethnicity, geography, and insurance.

Blood donation from gay and bisexual men: contextualizing the approval of the federal supreme court / Donación de sangre de hombres homosexuales y bisexuales: contextualizando la aprobación del supremo tribunal federal / Doação de sangue de homens gays e bissexuais: contextualizando a aprovação do supremo tribunal federal

ABSTRACT Objective: to discuss the process of allowing blood donation by the LGBTQIAP+ community by the Federal Supreme Court in contrast to the Legislation of the Regulatory Agency for Blood and Blood Components. Method: this is a reflective study, considering the principles and concepts of Pierre Bourdieu's symbolic capital as a theoretical-methodological framework. Analysis was carried out in documents that dealt with the permission of blood donation by gay and bisexual men, such as bills, FSC decisions and media materials relevant to the proposed theme. Results: we argue that two historical events were decisive for the vote on the act of unconstitutionality by the Federal Supreme Court: the mobilization of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender social movements and the coronavirus pandemic. Conclusion: validation of the right to blood donation contributes to the exercise of citizenship of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

RESUMEN Objetivo: discutir el proceso de autorización de la donación de sangre por parte de la comunidad LGBTQIAP+ por parte del Supremo Tribunal Federal en contraste con la Legislación de la Agencia Reguladora de Sangre y Hemoderivados. Método: estudio reflexivo, considerando los principios y conceptos del capital simbólico de Pierre Bourdieu como marco teórico-metodológico. El análisis se llevó a cabo en los documentos que trataban sobre el permiso de donación de sangre por parte de hombres homosexuales y bisexuales, como proyectos de ley, decisiones del STF y materiales de prensa relevantes para el tema propuesto. Resultados: argumentamos que dos hechos históricos fueron decisivos para la votación del acto de inconstitucionalidad por parte del Supremo Tribunal Federal: la movilización de los movimientos sociales de lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transexuales y la pandemia del coronavirus. Conclusión: la validación del derecho a la donación de sangre contribuye al ejercicio de la ciudadanía de las personas lesbianas, gays, bisexuales y transgénero.

RESUMO Objetivo: discutir o processo de permissão da doação de sangue pela comunidade LGBTQIAP+ pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal em contraponto à Legislação da Agência Reguladora de Sangue e Hemoderivados. Método: estudo do tipo reflexivo, considerando os princípios e conceitos do capital simbólico de Pierre Bourdieu como referencial teórico-metodológico. A análise foi realizada nos documentos que tratavam da permissão da doação de sangue por homens gays e bissexuais tais como: projetos de lei, decisões do STF e materiais de mídias pertinentes ao tema proposto. Resultados: argumentamos que dois eventos históricos foram decisivos para a votação do ato de inconstitucionalidade pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal: a mobilização dos movimentos sociais de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais e Transgênero e a Pandemia de Coronavírus. Conclusão: a validação do direito à doação de sangue contribui para o exercício da cidadania das pessoas Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais e Transgênero.

Trajectory and Demographic Correlates of Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid in Recently Infected Blood Donors, United States.

We evaluated antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 in a large cohort of blood donors in the United States who were recently infected with the virus. Antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 indicate previous infection but are subject to waning, potentially affecting epidemiologic studies. We longitudinally evaluated a cohort of 19,323 blood donors who had evidence of recent infection by using a widely available serologic test to determine the dynamics of such waning. We analyzed overall signal-to-cutoff values for 48,330 donations (average 2.5 donations/person) that had an average observation period of 102 days. The observed peak signal-to-cutoff value varied widely, but the waning rate was consistent across the range, with a half-life of 122 days. Within the cohort, only 0.75% of persons became seronegative. Factors predictive of higher peak values and longer time to seroreversion included increasing age, male sex, higher body mass index, and non-Caucasian race.

Narratives of the convalescent plasma donor in a Peruvian social security hospital.: motivations, fears, expectations and experiences

Objectives: To know and explore from convalescent plasma donators' voices the experience in the blood donation process at a social security hospital. Methods: Qualitative study with a phenomenological design. The investigation was carried out in 01 hospitals of the social security of Peru. Semi-structured interviews were carried out. Results: Eleven donors of convalescent plasma were interviewed. The main motivations for donating were being able to contribute to national research and supporting patients affected by COVID-19. Fears focus on the possible risk of contagion within the hospital. Donors emphasised the attention and support of health personnel alongside the donation procedure. The main expectations and suggestions point towards greater dissemination of donation campaigns with special emphasis on safety. Likewise, an improvement in the time of the donation procedure (from enrolment to the extraction of convalescent plasma), and the implementation of friendly spaces to encourage future blood donation campaigns were highlighted. Conclusions: The experience of the convalescent plasma donors was positive. However, improvements must be made in terms of processes and infrastructure to ensure future successful blood donation campaigns.

Formation of Collective Immunity against a New Coronavirus Infection Covid-19 in Blood Donors

Introduction. The new coronavirus infection COVID-19, first detected at the end of 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan, caused a worldwide pandemic. High mortality among people with chronic diseases, a high frequency of the severe form of the disease, and an unspecified number of asymptomatic carriers are all causes for heavy burden on the healthcare system, including the blood bank service. Aim - to assess the SARS-CoV-2 antibody formation in blood donors. Materials and methods. The research included test results for 12,314 blood samples of donors who donated blood during 04.29.2020 - 08.04.2021 at the National Medical Research Center for Hematology (Russia). Anti-RBD-SARS IgG were tested by "SARS-CoV-2-IgG-ELISA", manufactured by the National Medical Research Center for Hematology, LLC "HEMA" (Russia). Results. Among 12,314 blood samples from donors, 3,219 (26.14 %) were positive for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Antibodies detection rate increased from 8.52 to 58.09 % during the observation period. For representative evaluation of donors' anti-SARS antibodies growth profile, the results of detection were analyzed within two-week periods (including holidays). This approach made it possible to avoid counting the same donor twice. In the profile of the growth of collective immunity in donors, two periods were identified: May - November 2020 and November 2020 - April 2021. The period of May - November 2020 proved no significant change in antibodies detection in donors. Detection rate was stable at about 15 % (13.10-16.24 %). The second period, from November 2020 to April 2021, demonstrated sustainable growth of this parameter from 16.20 to 58.09 %. This is likely due to the start of the second wave of COVID-19 in Russia (starting from November 2020) and an active campaign for mass vaccination that started in December 2020. To assess the true rate of increase of specific immunity in donors, the frequency of primary detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in donors in relation to those donors in whom antibodies were detected earlier was analyzed. The contribution of cases of primary detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was wave-like and corresponded to the epidemiological situation. Conclusion. An increase in the frequency of detection of antiviral antibodies in gratuitous blood donors was found during the spread of the second wave of COVID-19 and the n the beginning of mass vaccination. The increase in the overall frequency of antibody detection was due to donors with newly and re-detected antibodies. The surge in the frequency of primary detection of antibodies in blood donors corresponded to the second wave of infection.

Monitoring the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Prevalence of Antibodies in a Large, Repetitive Cross-Sectional Study of Blood Donors in Germany-Results from the SeBluCo Study 2020-2022.

SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance is important to adapt infection control measures and estimate the degree of underreporting. Blood donor samples can be used as a proxy for the healthy adult population. In a repeated cross-sectional study from April 2020 to April 2021, September 2021, and April/May 2022, 13 blood establishments collected 134,510 anonymised specimens from blood donors in 28 study regions across Germany. These were tested for antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and nucleocapsid, including neutralising capacity. Seroprevalence was adjusted for test performance and sampling and weighted for demographic differences between the sample and the general population. Seroprevalence estimates were compared to notified COVID-19 cases. The overall adjusted SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence remained below 2% until December 2020 and increased to 18.1% in April 2021, 89.4% in September 2021, and to 100% in April/May 2022. Neutralising capacity was found in 74% of all positive specimens until April 2021 and in 98% in April/May 2022. Our serosurveillance allowed for repeated estimations of underreporting from the early stage of the pandemic onwards. Underreporting ranged between factors 5.1 and 1.1 in the first two waves of the pandemic and remained well below 2 afterwards, indicating an adequate test strategy and notification system in Germany.

Military Blood Service in Poland.

Introduction: On 24 February 2022, the Russia-Ukraine military conflict unfolded just across the eastern border of the European Union. It made everyone realize how important it is to secure blood supplies to health-care units in the event of an armed conflict. This paper presents the principles of functioning of the Military Blood Donation Service and the Military Center for Blood Donation and Hemotherapy in Poland. Methods: The study used data collected in the "Military Blood Bank" information processing system and data from annual reports (2010-2021) sent to the Minister of Health of the Republic of Poland. The reports concerned, among others: demographic data on donors, reasons of permanent disqualifications, numbers of complete and incomplete donations, etc. Results: Since 2005, the number of donors registered in military blood donation centers ranged between 15 and 35 thousand/year. The most dramatic declines in donors were observed in 2010 and 2020. Successful donations accounted for more than 98% of all donations/year (except 2015), and their number varied between 20 and 32 thousand/year. Among the blood donors, men always predominated and the dominant age group (except for 2010) was 25-44 years. The reasons for permanent disqualification have varied over time: their proportions decreased for viral hepatitis and cardiovascular disease, and increased for respiratory and endocrine/metabolic diseases. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/2021, these proportions have sometimes been reversed. Discussion: The Military Blood Donation Service has been functioning in Poland for several decades. It is specialized in supplying blood and blood products to the Armed Forces. Unfortunately, it was not possible to refer to the functioning of similar institutions in other countries. Therefore, when evaluating the functioning of Polish military blood donation, we had to rely on numerical values (eg, number of donors/year, donor profile, etc.), which prove a very good organization of blood donation centers. However, it should be noted that, as in other countries, a more active promotion of blood donation in the media is advisable in order to encourage as many young people as possible to donate blood.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in convalescent plasma donors with varying clinical manifestation severity of COVID-19

Background/Aim. Plasma containing a high titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, donated from individuals who re-covered from COVID-19, has the potential to be used as initial therapy for patients who have been infected (passive immunization). It is a challenge to find suitable donors. The aim of the study was to successively monitor antibody titer in donations and to investigate the correlation between an-tibody titer and the severity of the clinical manifestations. Methods. The retrospective study was conducted from May 1 to October 31, 2020, at the Blood Transfusion Insti-tute of Vojvodina. Donors had to meet certain criteria for inclusion in the study: proven SARS-CoV-2 infection, de-tected SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the serum/plasma, ful-fillment of general criteria for performing plasmapheresis, and adequate laboratory findings. Results. During the study, 651 apheresis plasma units were collected and divided into two equal doses. Plasma was donated by 311 COVID-19 convalescents, including 208 (66.9%) men and 103 (33.1%) women. There were 15 (4.8%) plasma donors with asymptomatic infection, 235 (75. 6%) with a mild form of illness, 45 (14.5%) with a moderate form of illness, 16 (5.1%) with a severe form of illness, and none with a critical form of illness. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were pre-sent in the plasma of donors for more than 6 months after the disease. Plasma donors with a more severe clinical mani-festation of COVID-19 had stable antibody levels for a longer period. However, the Pearson correlation of clinical severity and antibody titer did not confirm a statistically sig-nificant correlation between the variables. Conclusion. An-ti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were present in the sample of re-covered patients, plasma donors, for more than 6 months after the disease. Even though no statistically significant correlation was found between the anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-body titer and the clinical severity of COVID-19, in patients with a more severe clinical manifestations of the disease, stable antibody levels were maintained for a longer period.Copyright © 2022 Inst. Sci. inf., Univ. Defence in Belgrade. All rights reserved.

Estimate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies prevalence among Iranian population based on blood donations: A serial cross-sectional study during the third wave of the pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: Iran is one of the countries that have been confronted with the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic since February 2020. This study aimed to determine the levels of specific IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among healthy blood donors to estimate the burden of the epidemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A serial cross-sectional study was conducted on blood donors who referred to 31 main blood donation centers in different provinces during the third weeks of September, October, and November 2020. A questionnaire was filled out to collect socio-demographic characteristics, history of contact with COVID-19 patients, and history of COVID-19. A blood sample was collected from each participant to assess the antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using the ELISA method. The crude prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was calculated. Then it was weighted based on the gender and age groups of the general population in each province and adjusted for test sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: During three time points of the study, 3840, 3697, and 3152 participants enrolled. The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 19.59% (17.18-22.00), 22.67% (20.70-24.65), and 32.63% (29.93-35.33) over the three rounds of the study. We found an association between the seropositivity and the highest educational level; AOR 0.76 (0.63-0.93), history of close contact with COVID-19 patients; AOR 1.69 (1.35-2.11), and history of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection; AOR 8.86 (5.38-14.60). CONCLUSION: This study showed that about one-third of the population had been infected with COVID-19. Furthermore, a significant upward trend in seroprevalence was observed. The predisposing factors indicate the importance of public health.

Serosurvey for SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in Wuhan, China from September to December 2019.

The emerging of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused COVID-19 pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 was reported at early December in 2019 in Wuhan City, China. To examine specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in biological samples before December 2019 would give clues when the epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 might start to circulate in populations. We obtained all 88,517 plasmas from 76,844 blood donors in Wuhan between 1 September and 31 December 2019. We first evaluated the pan-immunoglobin (pan-Ig) against SARS-CoV-2 in 43,850 samples from 32,484 blood donors with suitable sample quality and enough volume. Two hundred and sixty-four samples from 213 donors were pan-Ig reactive, then further tested IgG and IgM, and validated by neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Two hundred and thirteen samples (from 175 donors) were only pan-Ig reactive, 8 (from 4 donors) were pan-Ig and IgG reactive, and 43 (from 34 donors) were pan-Ig and IgM reactive. Microneutralization assay showed all negative results. In addition, 213 screened reactive donors were analyzed and did not show obviously temporal or regional tendency, but the distribution of age showed a difference compared with all tested donors. Then we reviewed SARS-CoV-2 antibody results from these donors who donated several times from September 2019 to June 2020, partly tested in a previous published study, no one was found a significant increase in S/CO of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Our findings showed no SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies existing among blood donors in Wuhan, China before 2020, indicating no evidence of transmission of COVID-19 before December 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses in convalescent plasma donors with varying clinical manifestation severity of COVID-19

Background/Aim. Plasma containing a high titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, donated from individuals who recovered from COVID-19, has the potential to be used as initial therapy for patients who have been infected (passive immunization). It is a challenge to find suitable donors. The aim of the study was to successively monitor antibody titer in donations and to investigate the correlation between antibody titer and the severity of the clinical manifestations. Methods. The retrospective study was conducted from May 1 to October 31, 2020, at the Blood Transfusion Institute of Vojvodina. Donors had to meet certain criteria for inclusion in the study: proven SARS-CoV-2 infection, detected SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the serum/plasma, fulfillment of general criteria for performing plasmapheresis, and adequate laboratory findings. Results. During the study, 651 apheresis plasma units were collected and divided into two equal doses. Plasma was donated by 311 COVID-19 convalescents, including 208 (66.9%) men and 103 (33.1%) women. There were 15 (4.8%) plasma donors with asymptomatic infection, 235 (75. 6%) with a mild form of illness, 45 (14.5%) with a moderate form of illness, 16 (5.1%) with a severe form of illness, and none with a critical form of illness. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were present in the plasma of donors for more than 6 months after the disease. Plasma donors with a more severe clinical manifestation of COVID-19 had stable antibody levels for a longer period. However, the Pearson correlation of clinical severity and antibody titer did not confirm a statistically significant correlation between the variables. Conclusion. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were present in the sample of recovered patients, plasma donors, for more than 6 months after the disease. Even though no statistically significant correlation was found between the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer and the clinical severity of COVID-19, in patients with a more severe clinical manifestations of the disease, stable antibody levels were maintained for a longer period. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR]

West Nile virus IgG antibodies among blood donors in Sudan: a cross-sectional study.

while the world is concentrated on fighting SARS-CoV-2, other viruses such as West Nile virus (WNV) attack the communities silently. West Nile Virus (WNV) is established as one of the infectious agents that transmissible blood transfusion. The present study is cross-sectional, conducted in the central blood bank, Khartoum state, Sudan, and aimed to determine WNV IgG antibodies among blood donors. METHODS: the antibodies of the IgG class against West Nile virus in the serum were determined using the ELISA technique. Ninety blood donors participated in this study. RESULTS: the results showed that 67(74.4%) of participants had positive IgG for WNV. The majority of positive participants 28/67(41.8%) had an age between 28-37 years followed by an age group 18-27 years 24/67(35.8), the dominant blood group of the positive WNV IgG participants was A+ 26/67 (38.8%) followed by O+ 19/67(28.4%). The result displayed that 40(59.7%) of the positive IgG had donated blood several times and 58 (86.6%) had a blood transfusion. Statistical analysis showed an insignificant association between age group, blood group, blood donation, blood transfusion, and West Nile Virus. CONCLUSIONS: the high IgG seroprevalence (which indicated previous infection) in the present study suggests high virus circulation in Sudan. This situation proposed that WNF screening test should be part of blood transfusion screening tests in Sudan.

Cross-Canada Variability in Blood Donor SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence by Social Determinants of Health.

We compared the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies in blood donors across Canadian regions in 2021. The seroprevalence was the highest in Alberta and the Prairies, and it was so low in Atlantic Canada that few correlates were observed. Being male and of young age were predictive of seropositivity. Racialization was associated with higher seroprevalence in British Columbia and Ontario but not in Alberta and the Prairies. Living in a materially deprived neighborhood predicted higher seroprevalence, but it was more linear across quintiles in Alberta and the Prairies, whereas in British Columbia and Ontario, the most affluent 60% were similarly low and the most deprived 40% similarly elevated. Living in a more socially deprived neighborhood (more single individuals and one parent families) was associated with lower seroprevalence in British Columbia and Ontario but not in Alberta and the Prairies. These data show striking variability in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence across regions by social determinants of health. IMPORTANCE Canadian blood donors are a healthy adult population that shows clear disparities associated with racialization and material deprivation. This underscores the pervasiveness of the socioeconomic gradient on SARS-CoV-2 infections in Canada. We identify regional differences in the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and social determinants of health. Cross-Canada studies, such as ours, are rare because health information is under provincial jurisdiction and is not available in sufficient detail in national data sets, whereas other national seroprevalence studies have insufficient sample sizes for regional comparisons. Ours is the largest seroprevalence study in Canada. An important strength of our study is the interpretation input from a public health team that represented multiple Canadian provinces. Our blood donor seroprevalence study has informed Canadian public health policy at national and provincial levels since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Vital impetus the blood

In 2022, 2 years on from the start of the pandemic, the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS, Mexican Institute for Social Security) has been reorganizing its services at full, out of which blood banks play a key role. In addition, on June 14 it is celebrated the World Blood Donor Day by the World Health Organization and this year Mexico was the host country for the celebration. Therefore, it is important to highlight the work carried out in blood banks, ranging from their main activity, which is the recruitment of blood donors and the blood components production, to the different interventions they have in the field of transplantation, diseases emerging diagnosis and the development of new therapeutic modalities, such as, for example, cell therapy. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in the United States Before the Delta- and Omicron-Associated Surges: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Repeat Blood Donors.

BACKGROUND: To inform public health policy, it is critical to monitor coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine effectiveness (VE), including against acquiring infection. METHODS: We estimated VE using self-reported vaccination in a retrospective cohort of repeat blood donors who donated during the first half of 2021, and we demonstrated a viable approach for monitoring VE via serological surveillance. RESULTS: Using Poisson regression, we estimated an overall VE of 88.8% (95% confidence interval, 86.2-91.1), adjusted for demographic covariates and variable baseline risk. CONCLUSIONS: The time since first reporting vaccination, age, race and/or ethnicity, region, and calendar time were statistically significant predictors of incident infection.

SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Canadian Blood Donors: The Advance of Omicron.

With the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in late 2021, Canadian public health case/contact testing was scaled back due to high infection rates with milder symptoms in a highly vaccinated population. We monitored the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (anti-N) and spike protein (anti-S) antibodies in blood donors across Canada from September 2021 to June 2022 in 202,123 randomly selected samples. Multivariable logistic regression of anti-N positivity with month, age, sex, racialization, region, material and social deprivation (based on postal code) identified as independent predictors. Piece-wise logistic regression analysed the association between anti-S concentration and month, and anti-N/anti-S positivity. Infection-related seroprevalence (anti-N positive) was 4.38% (95% CI: 3.96, 4.81) in September reaching 50.70% (50.15, 52.16) in June; nearly 100% were anti-S positive throughout. Anti-N positivity was associated with younger age, male sex, the Alberta and Prairies regions, greater material deprivation and less social deprivation (p < 0.001). Anti-S concentration was high initially (3306 U/mL, IQR 4280 U/mL), increased to (13,659 U/mL, IQR 28,224 U/mL) by June (p < 0.001), following the pattern of deployment of the third and fourth vaccine doses and was higher in those that were anti-N positive (p < 0.001). Despite already high vaccination-related seroprevalence, infection-related seroprevalence increased dramatically with the emergence of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among blood donors during the COVID-19 outbreak

Background: Assessments of the blood donors’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions of this infection are essential for controlling the spread of COVID-19. Aim and objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the KAP among blood donors towards COVID 19 pandemic and how to increase the number of blood donations during pandemic. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 630 blood donors at the Department of Transfusion Medicine, at a tertiary care center in North India. It was an observational study. Statistical analysis: The data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test. To correlate variables Chi-square test was used. Results: The knowledge score of demographic variables marital status, education & occupation showed a significant association, while its association with age, gender, and religion was insignificant. The entire demographic variables under study showed a significant association with Attitude questionnaire 1. According to univariate analysis, the variables Intercept, Unemployed and Physical Labour showed significant impact on knowledge level with the corresponding effect size 0.10 and 0.022. Conclusions: This study reveals that blood donors have good knowledge with positive attitudes and practices. By improving the knowledge with the help of health education platforms, the number of blood donations will also increase. © 2022, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. All rights reserved.

Strategies to recover blood donors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a tertiary level hospital experience.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged blood banks. In Mexico, donors decreased 22% between April and May 2020 compared to the same months in 2019. This study analyzed the effect of the strategies to recover donors (altruistic and family) in a tertiary pediatric care center during the pandemic. METHODS: The Blood Bank of the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez implemented strategies to obtain blood components to ensure self-sufficiency. The effect of these strategies on donor recovery was analyzed. RESULTS: There were 7,315 eligible donors in 2019 and 5,070 in 2020. Blood component requirements decreased from 10,037 units in 2019 to 8,619 in 2020. The strategies aimed at attracting altruistic donors managed to increase the percentage of this type of donor when comparing the months in which these strategies were applied with the same months in 2019. In addition, it was observed that the greater the number of methods used simultaneously, the higher the percentage of altruistic donors (rho = 0.846, p = 0.002). In contrast, strategies aimed at attracting family donors did not increase the number of this type of donor. CONCLUSIONS: Actions to recruit altruistic donors increased the number of this type of donor to meet the hospital's needs.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 ha representado un reto en los bancos de sangre. En México, los donadores disminuyeron el 22% entre abril y mayo del 2020 en comparación con los mismos meses del 2019. Este estudio analizó el efecto de las estrategias realizadas para recuperar donantes, altruistas y familiares, en un centro de atención pediátrica de tercer nivel durante la pandemia. MÉTODOS: El Banco de Sangre del Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez implementó estrategias encaminadas a la obtención de componentes sanguíneos para asegurar la autosuficiencia. Se analizó el efecto de dichas estrategias en la recuperación de donantes. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 7,315 donadores aptos en el año 2019 y 5,070 en el 2020. Los requerimientos de componentes sanguíneos disminuyeron de 10,037 unidades en 2019 a 8,619 en 2020. Las estrategias que estaban destinadas a captar donadores altruistas lograron aumentar el porcentaje de este tipo de donadores al comparar los meses en que se aplicaron dichas estrategias con los mismos meses en el 2019. Además, se observó que, a mayor número de estrategias aplicadas de manera simultánea, mayor porcentaje de donadores altruistas (rho = 0.846, p = 0.002). Por el contrario, las estrategias con la finalidad de atraer donadores familiares no lograron aumentar la cantidad de este tipo de donadores. CONCLUSIONES: Las acciones para recabar donadores altruistas aumentaron la cantidad de este tipo de donadores para satisfacer las necesidades del hospital.