Transfusion
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Therapeutic efficacy and safety of red blood cells treated with a chemical process (S-303) for pathogen inactivation: a Phase III clinical trial in cardiac surgery patients.
A randomized, double-blind trial is reported of the clinical efficacy of red blood cells (RBCs) treated for pathogen inactivation with S-303, a synthetic labile alkylating agent. ⋯ S-303-treated and conventional RBCs were equivalent with respect to clinical efficacy and safety in supporting the transfusion needs of cardiac surgery patients. Investigations are under way to ascertain the significance of S-303 RBC antibodies and to prevent their occurrence.
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Comparative Study
Demonstrable parasitemia among Connecticut blood donors with antibodies to Babesia microti.
Reports of transfusion-transmitted Babesia microti have risen steadily during the past several years, reflecting a concurrent increase in US cases of human babesiosis. Although several studies have measured B. microti antibodies in blood donors, little is known about associated parasitemia and the inherent risk of transmitting the parasite by transfusion. ⋯ B. microti seroprevalence was highest in those areas of Connecticut where the parasite is endemic. More than half of seropositive donors tested had demonstrable parasitemia, indicating that many are at risk for transmitting B. microti by blood transfusion. Three donors were identified as parasitemic in October, suggesting that donors may be at risk for transmitting the parasite outside of the peak period of community-acquired infection.