Universal nucleic acid donor screening revealed epidemiological features of hepatitis E and prevented transfusion-transmitted infection in Japan.

BACKGROUND: More than 45 cases of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E virus infection (TT-HEV) have been reported in Japan. Therefore, in 2020, universal individual donation nucleic acid amplification testing (ID-NAT) was implemented for HEV. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We characterized HEV NAT-positive blood donors. The number of new HEV infections and the asymptomatic infection rate were estimated using the HEV NAT-positive rate. HEV RNA quantitation, phylogenetic analysis, and antibody tests were performed, and the residual risk of TT-HEV was assessed based on the lookback study results. RESULTS: A total of 5,075,100 blood donations were screened with ID-NAT during the first year of implementation, among which 2804 (0.055%; males: 0.060%, females: 0.043%) were NAT-positive with regional differences. Approximately 270,000 new HEV infection cases were estimated to occur annually in Japan, with an asymptomatic infection rate of 99.9%. The median HEV RNA concentration, excluding cases below the limit of quantification, was 205 IU/mL. Among the 1113 cases where the genotype could be determined, HEV-3 and HEV-4 accounted for 98.8% (1100) and 1.2% (13), respectively. The maximum duration of HEV viremia, including the pre- and post-ID-NAT window periods, was estimated to be 88.2 days. Within the 3 years since ID-NAT implementation, no confirmed cases of breakthrough TT-HEV were observed. DISCUSSION: Multiple indigenous HEV strains are prevalent in Japan, infecting a significant number of individuals. However, since the implementation of ID-NAT, TT-HEV has been prevented due to the test's high sensitivity.

A Study to Evaluate the Role of Three-Dimensional Pseudo-Continuous Arterial Spin Labelling in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Introduction Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is well known to detect ischemic brain tissue and evaluate the tissue vulnerable to infarction. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been a mainstay of stroke evaluation but has a few shortcomings, as it generally indicates only the core of ischemia and does not provide information regarding the tissue at risk or the ischemic penumbra surrounding the infarct. Perfusion imaging identifies brain tissue that has reduced blood flow as a potential target for reperfusion therapy. Arterial spin labelling (ASL) is a new non-invasive, non-contrast MRI perfusion sequence used to detect areas of hypoperfusion qualitatively and quantitatively and also identify the area at risk, i.e., the penumbra, in acute ischemic stroke. The most important component of the imaging is to determine the ischemic penumbra. One of the working definitions of penumbra is brain tissue that is ischemic but not yet infarcted and is at risk of further damage unless the flow is rapidly restored. Hence, perfusion-diffusion mismatch provides a realistic target for potential intervention. The aim of our study is to assess the role of ASL imaging in identifying the penumbra and providing insight into the management of acute ischemic stroke. Materials and methods Patients who presented with symptoms of acute ischemic stroke were included in the study, and an MRI stroke protocol comprising DWI, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), ASL, and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) sequences was done. Post-thrombolysis, a follow-up MRI was done using DWI, ASL, and MRA to see the restoration of perfusion in the ischemic penumbra. Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous ASL (in our study, ASL refers to pseudo-continuous ASL) is included in the stroke protocol in cases of acute ischemic stroke and assessed qualitatively. Results Our study included 43 patients (n = 43), of whom 39.5% (17 patients) belong to the age group of 51-60 years and 2.3% (one patient) are in the age group of 21-30 years. All 43 cases demonstrated DWI-FLAIR mismatch, suggestive of ischemic stroke within the window period, and all 43 cases showed DWI-ASL mismatch, suggestive of a large yet potentially salvageable peri-infarct ischemic penumbra. The most common territory involved was the middle cerebral artery (MCA), and the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) was the least commonly involved territory. We had one case involving the MCA-PCA watershed zone. Conclusion Arterial spin labelling is a novel, non-invasive, non-contrast MRI sequence with the capability to provide qualitative information regarding the salvageable ischemic penumbra, and timely management prevents the progression of the penumbra. The incorporation of ASL as part of the standard neuroimaging protocol aids in the management of acute stroke, giving insight into the prediction of outcome.

Stumbling Blocks to Stroke Thrombolysis: An Indian Perspective.

Background and purpose: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Developing countries, however, still lag behind in providing timely thrombolytic therapy (TLT) to many eligible patients owing to various reasons. This study aims to identify such factors. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive observational study undertaken over a period of 18 months at a tertiary care teaching hospital and included 252 acute ischemic stroke patients of which 200 were not thrombolyzed. The reasons for nonthrombolysis were recorded and analyzed. Results: The study included 252 acute ischemic stroke patients of which only 20% were thrombolyzed. Of the 200 nonthrombolyzed patients, 55% arrived out of the window period while patient-related factors were the second biggest factor preventing thrombolysis. Hospital factors at 14% and financial constraints at 4.5% contributed significantly. Delayed consent emerged as an important factor making 6% of the delays. Conclusion: Stroke thrombolysis still faces various pre- and intrahospital barriers in India. There is an urgent need to improve infrastructure and organizational streamlining to enable eligible patients to receive prompt treatment. How to cite this article: Shah A, Diwan A. Stumbling Blocks to Stroke Thrombolysis: An Indian Perspective. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(9):616-619.

Marked reduction in the incidence of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus infection after the introduction of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen and individual donation nucleic acid amplification screening in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, 41 million blood donations have been screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) during the past 8.4 years using individual donation nucleic acid amplification testing (ID-NAT) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) screening. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Transfusion-transmitted HBV infection (TT-HBV) incidence was examined. Donated blood implicated in TT-HBV was analyzed for infection stage and DNA levels. Causative HBV strains were phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS: Among 5162 (0.013%) ID-NAT positives, window period (WP) and occult HBV infection (OBI) accounted for 3.4% (176) and 11.5% (594), respectively. No OBI-related TT-HBV occurred. Seven blood donations caused eight TT-HBV cases, six of which were in the pre-ID-NAT WP, leaving one with an unresolved infection stage. Seven cases were caused by platelet concentrate (180 mL plasma) and one case by fresh-frozen plasma (200 mL plasma), which contained estimated infectious doses varying between 2 and 2300 HBV virions. HBV subgenotypes in five cases were HBV/A2. Complete genome sequences of the transmitting A2 strains were nearly identical (99.6%-100%) and clustered in a group that included HBV/HIV-1 coinfections and a higher proportion of donors in the acute infection phase (69%) than the other group of HBV/A2 sequences (5%). DISCUSSION: The incidence of observed TT-HBV cases has significantly reduced to 0.19 per million in the ID-NAT screening period. OBI-related TT-HBV was eliminated by anti-HBc screening. Established TT-HBV cases were caused by blood products with large plasma volumes containing extremely low HBV concentrations derived from blood donors at a very early infection stage.

LTBI-negative close contacts of tuberculosis are more likely to develop the disease: enlightenment and lessons from a cluster outbreak.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) prevention and control among groups living together, such as students, workers, older adults in nursing homes, and prisoners, present many challenges due to their particular age and environmental factors, which can make them more susceptible to TB clusters with significant societal impact. This study aimed to evaluate a TB cluster outbreak epidemic in a university and provide suggestions for improving TB control strategies for groups living together. Methods: Pulmonary TB screening and close-contact investigation were conducted using acid-fast staining, sputum culture, GeneXpert testing, tuberculin skin testing (TST), interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), and chest computed tomography (CT). GraphPad Prism 9.5.1 was utilized for data analysis. Collected epidemic data were comprehensively analyzed by rate comparison. Results: The TB cluster outbreak epidemic was identified with an index case confirmed positive. The initial screening was conducted on potential close contacts of the index case, and the TST's positive rate (diameter ≥ 5 mm) and strong positive rate (diameter ≥ 15 mm) among these close contacts were 65.60% (21/32) and 34.40% (11/32), respectively. Moreover, the latent TB infection (LTBI) rate (diameter ≥ 10 mm) was 43.75% (14/32), and the IGRA's positive rate was 9.30% (3/32). Chest CT scans did not reveal any abnormalities. Surprisingly, 5 of the close contacts developed active TB in the second screening, accompanied by changes from negative to positive TST and/or IGRA results, after 3 months of follow-up. Accordingly, we expanded the screening scope to include another 28 general contacts. We found that the positive rate (78.00%, 25/32), strong positive rate (50.00%, 16/32), and LTBI rate (62.50%, 20/32) of the 32 close contacts were significantly higher than those of the additional general contacts (28.00%, 8/28; 14.3%, 4/28; 25.00%, 7/28), as indicated by p < 0.05. Conclusion: In the event of an epidemic TB outbreak, it is essential to rapidly identify the source of infection and initiate timely screening of close contacts. The initial screening should be focused on individuals without LTBI, who are at higher risk of developing TB. In purified protein derivative-negative individuals living in groups, additional vaccination or revaccination with Bacille Calmette-Guérin may help prevent cluster outbreaks of TB.

Time to reconsider post arthroscopic osteonecrosis of the knee: a systematic review.

The etiology of post-arthroscopic osteonecrosis of the knee (PAONK) is still unknown. The aims of this systematic review were to analyze the main characteristics of patients who developed osteonecrosis after arthroscopy. We considered for inclusion in the review case reports, case series, retrospective and prospective clinical trial, that involved patients who developed osteonecrosis of the knee within 1 year of arthroscopy for meniscal lesion or anterior cruciate ligament rupture with or without chondropathy. In all cases, there was a pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging that excluded the presence of osteonecrosis. We used the MINORS criteria to estimate the risk of bias. A total of 13 studies that involved 125 patients were included in the review. Only 14 out of 55 patients performed the pre-operative MRI after the "window period", which we considered 6 weeks between the onset of symptoms and positive MRI findings. A diagnosis of PAONK was made for 55 patients within 1 year of surgery. Of these, 29% was treated conservatively, while 71% repeated surgery. Osteonecrosis after knee arthroscopy is a reality and surgeon shouldn't underestimate the persistence or re-emergence of symptoms after arthroscopy. It may be due to subchondral insufficiency fractures in osteopenic bone, without evidence of necrosis. However, there are not elements enough to differentiate clinical and radiological characteristics of PAONK from SPONK. Terminology should be simplified, distinguishing subchondral insufficiency fractures of the knee as a precursor of primary osteonecrosis of the knee.

Dynamic network modeling of gut microbiota during Alzheimer's disease progression in mice.

The intimate association between the gut microbiota (GM) and the central nervous system points to potential intervention strategies for neurological diseases. Nevertheless, there is currently no theoretical framework for selecting the window period and target bacteria for GM interventions owing to the complexity of the gut microecosystem. In this study, we constructed a complex network-based modeling approach to evaluate the topological features of the GM and infer the window period and bacterial candidates for GM interventions. We used Alzheimer's disease (AD) as an example and traced the GM dynamic changes in AD and wild-type mice at one, two, three, six, and nine months of age. The results revealed alterations of the topological features of the GM from a scale-free network into a random network during AD progression, indicating severe GM disequilibrium at the late stage of AD. Through stability and vulnerability assessments of the GM networks, we identified the third month after birth as the optimal window period for GM interventions in AD mice. Further computational simulations and robustness evaluations determined that the hub bacteria were potential candidates for GM interventions. Moreover, our GM functional analysis suggested that Lachnospiraceae UCG-001 - the hub and enriched bacterium in AD mice - was the keystone bacterium for GM interventions owing to its contributions to quinolinic acid synthesis. In conclusion, this study established a complex network-based modeling approach as a practical strategy for disease interventions from the perspective of the gut microecosystem.

HBsAg non-reactive but HBV DNA reactive blood donors in Wuhu area: infection status and tracing results / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To detect and analyze the infection status of HBsAg non-reactive /HBV DNA reactive blood donors by individual donor-NAT (ID-NAT) and chemiluminescence technology, and to explore the feasibility and potential risks of reentry. 【Methods】 The blood screening results of blood donors in Wuhu from January 2018 to October 2021 were queried by blood station information management software. The blood donation information of all HBsAg non-reactive /HBV DNA reactive blood donors was collected and then recalled by telephone. After informed consent, samples were taken for HBV DNA nucleic acid single test, enzyme-linked immunoassay for HBsAg, chemiluminescence assay for HBV seromarkers(including HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test. All the results were statistically analyzed. 【Results】 From January 2018 to October 2021, there were 142 051 donations, and the positive rate of sole HBV DNA was 0.06% (91/142 051), and 33 people (37 person-times) were successfully followed up. The yield rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were 6.06% (2/33), 39.39% (13/33) and 96.97% (32/33), respectively; None HBeAg was yielded. After two times of ID-NAT, 8 patients remained non-reactive to both systems, with a negative conversion rate of 24.24% (8/33). Meanwhile, 25 patients were at least once reactive to ID-NAT, and 23 of them were occult HBV infection with serologically reactivity. There were 2(6.25%) patients with HBsAg positive conversion and HBV DNA persistent reactivity, which were window period infection. One person was confirmed as false reactivity (no HBV infection) as he remained unreactive to both repeated ID-NAT and serological tests. 【Conclusion】 Chemiluminescence assay is more sensitive than ELISA in detecting HBV serum markers, which is beneficial to early detection of HBV samples in window period. The yielding rate of anti-HBc among HBsAg non-reactive/HBV DNA reactive blood donors detected by blood screening in this region is very high, and most of them are occulting infection, so the ID-NAT should be no less than 2 times in the reentry strategy.

Análisis de la problemática resultante de los tipos de donación de sangre, producida en el Banco de Sangre de la Seguridad Social en La Paz durante la gestión 2020 / Analysis of the problems resulting from the types of blood donation, produced at the social security Blood Bank in La Paz during the 2020 administration

INTRODUCCIÓN: actualmente la sangre continúa siendo un elemento vital para la vida, su fabricación aún no ha sido optimizada, por lo tanto, solo puede obtenerse a través de donaciones humanas. Por ello, para los Bancos de Sangre, contar con personas de confianza que aporten sangre constituye uno de los principales problemas éticos. Actualmente existen tres tipos de donación de sangre: la donación voluntaria y altruista, la donación de reposición o familiar y la donación remunerada, siendo esta última inaceptable en términos económicos y sanitarios, además de estar prohibida en el marco legal vigente en nuestro país. OBJETIVOS: analizar la problemática de la donación de sangre, haciendo énfasis en los tipos de donaciones que existen en nuestro país, considerando cuál es el tipo de donación más seguro para el receptor y cuáles son los menores de las pruebas de tamizaje inmunoserológico. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: se realizó un estudio transversal analítico, retrospectivo, en el que se revisaron las historias clínicas y los formularios electrónicos de trabajo utilizados en la recolección de datos de las donaciones de sangre obtenidas en el Banco de Sangre. de la seguridad social. Para el análisis estadístico se realizó la media y la varianza. RESULTADOS: de un total de 7787 personas que se presentaron a donar sangre, solo 5166 realizaron una donación efectiva. El resto fueron diferidos temporalmente por causas subsanables, 147 fueron diferidos definitivamente por enfermedades e infecciones que pudieran suponer un riesgo para el receptor y en 19 de ellos la extracción de sangre fue difícil por dificultad de acceso venoso. Según el tipo de donaciones, el 52,8 % fueron donaciones solidarias de reposición, el 43,3 % donación exijida y el 3,71 % donación voluntaria. Finalmente, el 68 % del total de las donaciones de sangre provino de hombres. CONCLUIONES: los datos obtenidos demuestran porcentajes muy bajos de donantes voluntarios y valores altos de donantes obligados a donar, muy en relación a países con programas deficientes de donación voluntaria y altruista de sangre.

INTRODUCTION: currently blood is a vital element for life, its manufacture has not yet been optimized, therefore, it can only be obtained through human donations. For this reason, for Blood Banks, having reliable people who provide blood constitutes one of the main ethical problems. There are currently three types of blood donation: voluntary and altruistic donation, replacement or family donation, and paid donation, the latter being unacceptable in economic and health terms, as well as being prohibited under the current legal framework in our country. OBJECTIVES: analyze the problem of blood donation, emphasizing the types of donations that exist in our country, considering what is the safest type of donation for the recipient and what are the minors of immunoserological screening tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: this was a retrospective, analytical cross-sectional study, in which, we reviewed clinical histories and electronic work forms used in the collection of data on blood donations obtained in the Blood Bank. of social security. For statistical analysis we performed the mean and variance. RESULTS: in a total of 7787 people who presented themselves to donate blood, only 5166 made an effective donation. The rest were temporarily deferred for rectifiable reasons, 147 were permanently deferred due to diseases and infections that could cause a risk to the recipient and in 19 of them it was difficult to draw blood due to difficult venous access. According to the type of donations, 52.8 % were solidarity replacement donations, 43.3 % required donation, and 3.71 % voluntary donation. Finally, 68 % of the total blood donations came from men. CONCLUSIONS: the data obtained show very low percentages of voluntary donors and high values of required donors, these results are in accordance with countries with deficient voluntary and altruistic blood donation programs.

Transfusion-Acquired HIV: History, Evolution of Screening Tests, and Current Challenges of Unreported Antiretroviral Drug Use in Brazil.

Prevention of HIV acquisition by blood transfusion from its emergence to the present day is reviewed, and current challenges are delineated. The experience of Fundação Pró-Sangue/Hemocentro de São Paulo, Brazil, is highlighted in the quest for improvements in blood safety and the evolution of increasingly sensitive and specific screening tests. Concerns and establishing stringent criteria in the screening of potential blood donors are emphasized, and the current criteria for identifying and deferring candidates at high risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases are summarized. Future challenges relate to the identification of donors with unreported use of antiretroviral drugs for prophylaxis against possible HIV exposure or for treatment of an HIV infection whose viral expression is undetectable by current analyses. There is a need to better understand the motivation of HIV-exposed donors and to educate them about the risk of transfusion-mediated HIV transmission despite having low or undetectable viral loads. In situations in which traditional HIV RNA or antibody detection assays remain negative, more sensitive analyses are needed to identify potential donors at risk for HIV transmission.

Residual risk estimates of transfusion transmissible hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus using nucleic acid testing yield/window period model in an Indian setting.

BACKGROUND: Estimation of residual risk (RR) is necessary to understand status of blood safety with current testing strategies and need to improve it further. These estimates from India are lacking till date. Present study was aimed to estimate RR and incident rate (IR) of transfusion transmitted infectious disease (TTIDs) in Indian setting. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood donor demographic data, serological testing results and nucleic acid testing (NAT) screening results were collected retrospectively from January 2015 to June 2017. Mathematical modelling using NAT yield/window period model was done to estimate IR and RR of TTIDs. Data was compared between different groups based on age-group, gender, donation repeatability and type of donor. RESULTS: A total 106 119 blood donors donated 109 441 units with overall TTID reactivity of 2.22%. HBV was most prevalent TTID (1.26%) with RR of 16.1 per million followed by HCV and HIV with RR of 4.4 and 3.1 per million donations, respectively. NAT testing variably reduced RR ranging from 69.4% to 96.1% depending on TTID. Younger, repeat and voluntary donors had significantly lower prevalence of TTIDs compared to older, first time and replacement donors. DISCUSSION: Gaps in the blood safety could be bridged significantly by implementing NAT testing and using quality serological assays. Comparatively high RR despite using quality serological assays and ID-NAT testing highlights need to develop long term strategies to improve blood safety by focusing on improving donor pool by recruiting regular voluntary donors among youth and imparting knowledge of healthy practices.

Health care-associated infections studies project: An American journal of infection control and national healthcare safety network data quality collaboration case study - Chapter 2 Identifying Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI) for NHSN Surveillance case study vignettes.

This case study is part of a series centered on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) healthcare-associated infection (HAI) surveillance definitions. This specific case study focuses on the application of three of the surveillance concepts included in the Patient Safety Component, Chapter 2 - Identifying Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI) for NHSN Surveillance. The intent of the case study series is to foster standardized application of the NHSN HAI surveillance definitions and encourage accurate HAI event determination among Infection Preventionists (IPs).

Investigation on current Hepatitis E virus infection among voluntary blood donors / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the situation of hepatitis E virus(HEV) infection among voluntary blood donors in Wuhan area and provide evidences for enhancing blood screening strategies. 【Methods】 HEV nucleic acid detection(NAT) was performed on blood samples from eligible blood donors in Wuhan from November to December 2020. The testing results were analyzed, and the blood donors with repeated reactive results were followed up to clarify the status of infection. 【Results】 Routine screening was performed on 17 409 blood samples from November to December 2020. A total of 17 322 blood samples of eligible blood donors were tested for HEV NAT, and one case of HEV RNA reactivity was detected. The results from the follow-ups showed that the blood donor should be in the window period of HEV seroconversion. The current HEV infection rate of voluntary blood donors in Wuhan arewas 0.058‰(1/17 322), which was lower than other domestic areas. 【Conclusion】 The current HEV infection rate of voluntary blood donors was at a relatively low prevalence level in Wuhan area. Selective blood screening strategies can be taken to further reduce potential risk of blood transfusion infection with hepatitis E virus.

Assessment of residual risk of hepatitis C virus transmission by blood transfusion in Taiyuan / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To analyze the epidemic of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in voluntary blood donors , and to assess the residual risk of HCV transmission by blood transfusion in Taiyuan. 【Methods】 The HCV screening results of voluntary blood donors in Taiyuan from 2016 to 2021 were collected by blood center information system, and the epidemiologic feature of first-time and repeated donors were analyzed. The incidence-window period model was used to assess the residual risk of HCV transmission by transfusion in first-time/repeated donors as well as that in repeated donors under different blood screening modes. 【Results】 Of the 662 705 samples in Taiyuan from 2016 to 2021, the HCV positive rate of the first-time donors was 1.83‰(595/325 009) and the residual risk of HCV transmission was 14.91/100 000. The HCV positive rate of the repeated donors was 0.04‰ (13/337 696) and the residual risk was 0.31/1 000 000. The total residual risk of HCV transmission was 7.47/1 000 000. A total of 337 696 blood samples of repeated blood donors were tested, the repeated blood donors’ residual risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV was 0.31/100 000 after dual ELISA tests , and 0.06/100 000 after dual ELISA and once NAT, which reduce by 80.65% since NAT were adopted. 【Conclusion】 The residual risk of HCV transmission from repeated donors was less than that from first-time donors. The blood screening mode of HCV by dual ELISA and once NAT can effectively reduce the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted HCV and improve blood safety. The rate of repeat blood donation needs to be increased by continuously optimizing the recruitment strategy of blood donors.

ECLIA and confirmation results of HIV reactive samples in blood screening / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To perform electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and Western blotting (WB) confirmation tests for HIV reactive samples in blood screening, and analyze the correlation between ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), ECLIA results and confirmed infection, so as to provide data support for the application of ECLIA in blood screening. 【Methods】 177 HIV reactive samples in blood screening testing detected by our laboratory from February to October 2019 were collected, of which 137 were reactiv to isolated ELISA reagent e, 39 to dual ELISA reagent, and 1 in window period. Ten maker-negative samples were randomly selected to undergo ECLIA with the above 177 samples. HIV reactive samples were sent to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmation tests, and the results were analyzed and compared. 【Results】 Among the 177 HIV reactive samples, 66 were ECLIA reactive, 111 negative, and the 10 maker-negative samples remained negative. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and total concordance rate of ECLIA were 97.1%, 81.1%, 55%, 99.1% and 84.2%, respectively, showing better performance than that of two ELISA reagents(P0.05). The positive predictive value and specificity were tested by chi-square test, and the difference between ECLIA and reagent 2 was statistically significant (P<0.05). The ECLIA results showed significant correlation with the confirmation results with good consistency(examed by Kappa test). Among the three reagents, ECLIA presented highest accuracy and largest Youden index. 【Conclusion】 ECLIA presents high detection sensitivity, which can improve the detection ability of early HIV infection and shorten the window period of HIV detection, therefore should be popularized in blood screening.

Window period of HIV infection and testing algorithm after exposure / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

The window period of HIV infection refers to the time between HIV exposure and quantified and consistent detection of viral markers. The seroconversion window period is the interval between HIV infection and the first detection of antibodies. The eclipse period is the initial phase from HIV infection to reliable detection of HIV RNA. Understanding the window period is the basis for HIV test counseling, helping to provide key information about how soon after HIV exposure the tests and repeat tests should be offered and when the HIV infection can be excluded after negative test results are obtained. It has guiding significance for formulating post-exposure testing algorithm, selecting tests and interpreting test results. This paper introduced the definition of window period, emphasized the main points for accurately understanding the concept, analyzed the factors affecting the window period, especially the impact of antiretroviral drugs on viral marker response and detection, and proposed the follow-up method and post-exposure test strategy based on the length of window period, aiming to provide reference for the diagnosis of acute HIV infection.

Influence of unreported HIV prophylaxis on the kinetics of post-blood donation HIV seroconversion.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, of 110,000 blood donors screened for HIV exposure two individuals were identified who were viral RNA-positive but seronegative. One of the donors, borderline negative in a pooled screening test for HIV RNA, utilized antiretroviral drugs as post-exposure, pre-donation prophylaxis. The kinetics of subsequent HIV seropositivity in both donors are described. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Both donors were recalled and interviewed, and blood was obtained at intervals for HIV antibodies and RNA testing. RESULTS: One donor used antiretroviral prophylaxis for 30 days due to a relationship with an HIV-positive partner. In follow-up samples, seroconversion was noted at 70 days, and viral RNA was detected at 105 days, after blood donation. In contrast, the other donor seroconverted in <25 days and the appearance and titer of HIV RNA was in accordance with the typical pre-seroconversion window. CONCLUSION: The use of anti-viral prophylaxis by blood donors in the acute phase of HIV infection delays seroconversion. A 6-month deferral in blood donation after HIV prophylaxis, as currently recommended in Brazil, would have been sufficient in this case to mitigate the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV. Ultimately, improvement in donor compliance with selection procedures for blood donation is needed to optimize blood safety.

Thrombolysis for stroke in elderly in the late window period.

OBJECTIVES: Safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) within 3-4.5 hours of stroke onset in patients ≥80 years is still disputable. We evaluated the association of symptom onset-to-treatment time (SOTT) with the symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), poor outcome, and mortality in patients≥80 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, patients treated with IVT following stroke were registered. Outcomes were poor outcome (mRS>2), sICH/ECASS-2, and in-hospital mortality. We compared the patients≥80 years who received IVT within 3 hours with those receiving IVT within 3-4.5 hours. We further compared the patients who were <80 years with those ≥80 years and SOTT of 3-4.5 hours. RESULTS: Of 834 patients, 265 aged over 80. In those above 80 and in multivariable analysis, the associations of SOTT with poor outcome (aOR: 1.401, CI: 0.503-3.903, p=0.519), sICH (aOR=2.50, CI=0.76-8.26, p= 0.132) and mortality (aOR=1.12, CI=0.39-3.25, p= 0.833) were not significant. 106 patients received IVT within 3-4.5 hours. In multivariable analysis, the associations of age (≥80 versus <80) with poor outcome (aOR=1.87, CI=0.65-5.37, p=0.246), sICH (aOR=0.65, CI=0.14-3.11, p=0.590), and mortality (aOR=0.87, 95% CI=0.16-4.57, p=0.867) were not significant in patients with SOTT of 3-4.5 hours. CONCLUSION: IVT within 3-4.5 hours in patients ≥80 years is not associated with increased sICH, poor outcome, and mortality compared to the early time window, and also compared to the younger patients in 3-4.5 hours window period. The decision of IVT administration in this age group should not be made solely on the basis of stroke onset timing.

A Longitudinal Case Study of Concurrent Infection with Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus During the Early Phase.

Due to the low incidence of concurrent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis infection identified during the early phase, such as window period (WP), little is known about the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment efficacy at very early stages. One longitudinal study was conducted in a 42-year-old blood donor who was concurrently infected with syphilis and HIV. This blood donor was treated with a penicillin-based regimen and early antiretroviral therapy (ART). Sequential serological and nucleic acid tests were performed and the results were comparatively analyzed. A regular male donor who had two occasions of high-risk sexual behaviors 41 and 35 days before donation donated whole blood at the Shenzhen Blood Center. ART was initiated at the 28th day after donation (DAD), and syphilis treatment was received at the 49th DAD. Microbiological analysis using a fourth-generation anti-HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (4th GAHE) and electro-chemiluminesent immunoassay indicated a positive signal at the 6th DAD, while a third-generation anti-HIV ELISA (3rd GAHE) showed positive at the 26th DAD. All nucleic acid testing (NAT) for HIV RNA were reactive except the minipool NAT of 6 pooled samples at 117th DAD. The HIV viral load declined more than 4-log in copies per milliliter over 3 months, until reaching nondetectable levels at 246th DAD. Nevertheless, HIV-1 DNA was still detectable at 403rd DAD. Among all methods utilized, anti-treponema pallidum ELISA detected syphilis infection at the earliest time. A successful serological response to syphilis treatment was reached around the 80th DAD. Concurrent infection with syphilis and HIV during early phases did not significantly change the sensitivity of reagents in detection nor alter the therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of both pathogens, but might result in delayed HIV serological WP.