IgA content of washed red blood cell concentrates.

Saline-washed red blood cell (RBC) concentrates are largely depleted of leukocytes, microaggregates, and nearly of all plasma originally contained in the blood unit. Our aim was to determine the concentration of the eliminated IgA and total protein in the buffy coat and plasma removed RBC concentrate before and after a sequential dilution-centrifugation washing procedure, 75.3% protein, and 99% IgA were eliminated by the washing process used. The recovery of red blood cells was 87.2%. Our results have led to the conclusion that two sequential washings seem to guarantee an IgA level of less than 0.2 mg/unit to meet the recommendations of the Council of Europe. Additional advantages of washing include low levels of extracellular hemoglobin, metabolic waste products and debris in the supernatant.

Increased yield of F VIII from pooled plasma vs. single-donor plasma in the production of cryoprecipitates.

Coagulation factor VIII:C yield was studied in two types of cryoprecipitates. The first group contained products from single-donor plasma units. The other group contained cryoprecipitates which were produced from pooled plasma. The volume of plasma/bag was not different between the two groups, but both the yield and the total content of F VIII:C in cryoprecipitates were significantly different. The yield of F VIII:C was higher (+20% in relative terms) in cryoprecipitates produced from pooled plasma, resulting in higher potency of such products. The positive effect of plasma pooling on the recovery of F VIII:C might be a result of reassembly of factor VIII subunits of different individuals in the plasma pools. The findings may have a role also in large-scale production of F VIII concentrates.

Quality of plasma separated from (buffy coat + plasma). An alternative way of blood processing.

A CPD/ADSOL triple-bag system was used to produce plasma, buffy coat and resuspended erythrocytes. These components could be produced in a quadruple-bag system when working according to the conventional technique. In the experimental technique, buffy coat and plasma are transferred together into the satellite bag and are separated from each other only after the second centrifugation. The plasma complement system is not activated and factor IXa is not generated when applying the experimental technique. The quality of plasma meets the international requirements. The blood component processing technique using a triple-bag system is less expensive compared to the quadruple-bag one.

Buffy coat or platelet-rich plasma? Comparison of two platelet-processing techniques.

Platelet concentrates were produced by buffy coat and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) techniques. In vitro reactions of platelets were compared within 4 h of processing and even after 1 day of storage at room temperature. The only striking difference was between aggregation properties: platelets produced by the buffy coat technique showed increased aggregation. Red cell contamination is substantial in PRP technology. The two platelet-processing techniques are considered to be practically similar from a biological point of view.