bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Superiority of minipool nucleic acid amplification technology for hepatitis B virus over chemiluminescence immunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen screening
Authors: Minegishi K. , Yoshikawa A. , Kishimoto S. , Yugi H. , Yokoya N. , Sakurada M. , Kiyokawa H. , Nishioka K. ,   the Japanese Red Cross NAT Screening Research Group
Published: May 2003

Background and Objectives The Japanese Red Cross (JRC) have developed a fully automated multiplex (MPX) nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) system for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1). This is used to test serologically negative blood units from volunteer, non‐remunerated donors. The system utilizes a 50‐sample pool for NAT screening with an input volume of each pool. This results in a significantly higher sensitivity for hepatitis B than that seen with highly sensitive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing.Materials and Methods From 1 February 2000 to 15 October 2001, over 11 million donations, which were serologically negative, were tested using the MPX NAT system. Donations found to be HBV DNA positive were further tested by using the chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA).Results Out of 181 HBV DNA‐positive donations, 96 (53%) and 76 (42%) were negative by individual enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and CLIA testing, respectively.Conclusions The sensitivity of the 50‐sample pool MPX NAT system was higher than that of individual HBsAg screening by CLIA. By adopting this NAT‐screening system, the JRC has improved the safety of the blood supply and maintained supply across Japan.
Evaluation of the de‐selection of men who have had sex with men from blood donation in England
Authors: Soldan K. , Sinka K. 
Published: May 2003

Background and Objectives The Blood Services of the UK permanently de‐select men who have had sex with men (MSM) from donating blood. The rationale for this has been questioned. This article attempts to evaluate whether this selection criterion does contribute to blood safety.Materials and Methods Data about transfusion‐transmissible infections, in particular about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, were used to evaluate whether de‐selection of MSM meets the aims of donor selection. Models were constructed to estimate the risk of HIV‐infectious donations entering the blood supply should this criterion be changed.Results Many assumptions were required to generate estimates of the risk of HIV infection entering the blood supply. The accuracy of the estimates is therefore uncertain and the probable ranges around the estimates were wide. However, by using the most probable assumptions, our models suggested that de‐selection of MSM for 12 months since the last sexual contact, or complete removal of this selection criterion, would be expected to increase the risk of HIV‐infectious donations entering the blood supply in England by approximately 60% (from the current risk of 0·45 per year to 0·75 per year) and 500% (to 2·5 per year), respectively. The increase in numbers of non‐infected donations would be relatively small – less than 2% of donations. The probability of a relatively high frequency of other sexually transmissible blood‐borne infections also currently favours maintaining permanent de‐selection of MSM, irrespective of the risk of HIV‐infectious donations. Current compliance with this selection criteria was estimated to be 95%.Conclusions Based on current knowledge, accepting blood donations from MSM would probably increase the risk of transfusion–transmission of HIV and of other blood‐borne infections. Good compliance with this criterion has contributed greatly to the safety of blood transfusions in England. Better communication about donor selection, to maintain and improve compliance with this and other selection criteria, is recommended. Other risk groups are gaining in relative importance for the risk of transfusion‐transmitted HIV infection, and ongoing evaluation of all donor‐selection criteria is also recommended.
Estimation of the risk of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus infectious donations entering the blood supply in England, 1993–2001
Authors: Soldan K. , Barbara J. A. J. , Ramsay M. E. , Hall A. J. 
Published: May 2003

Background and Objectives The frequency of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infectious donations entering the blood supply in England is too low to monitor using observational studies. The expected frequency of infectious donations can be estimated and these estimates may be used to contribute to monitoring of blood safety and used in the design of strategies to decrease the risk of transfusion‐transmitted infections.Materials and Methods The prevalence and incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to HCV and HIV (anti‐HCV and anti‐HIV, respectively) in donors in England, between 1993 and 2001, were used together with data about the length of negative ‘window‐periods’ of current assays for each of these markers and data about test performance, to estimate the number of infectious donations that enter the blood supply. The risks were calculated separately for donations from new donors and from repeat donors, and for the three time periods 1993–95, 1996–98 and 1999–01.Results The estimated frequency of infectious donations entering the blood supply in England, between 1993 and 2001 was 1 in 260 000 for HBV and 1 in 8 million for HIV. For HCV, the frequency of infectious donations was 1 in 520 000 during 1993–98 and fell to 1 in 30 million during 1999–2001 when all donations were tested for HCV RNA. The frequency of HBV‐ and HCV‐infectious donations entering the blood supply fell over these 9 years: the frequency of HIV‐infectious donations remained essentially unchanged. The risk from donations from new donors was found to be approximately sevenfold higher than the risk from donations from repeat donors.Conclusions The risks of HBV‐, HCV‐ or HIV‐infectious donations entering the blood supply in England are very low, and have decreased since 1993. Although the accuracy of these estimates is imperfect, mainly owing to uncertainty in some assumptions and to small numbers of infections, they provide some quantification of the risk of HBV, HCV or HIV transmission by transfusion, and allow comparison of the magnitude of these risks for each infection and over time. The methods we have used have been developed and improved from previously published methods.
A novel DI*A allele without the band 3‐Memphis mutation in Amazonian Indians
Authors: Baleotti W. , Rios M. , Reid M. E. , Fabron A. , Pellegrino J. , Saad S. T. O. , Castilho L. 
Published: May 2003

Background and Objectives The blood‐group antigens Dia and Dib are carried on erythrocyte band 3 and are defined by a single amino acid substitution at position 854 (Leu for Dia and Pro for Dib). The Band 3‐Memphis variant has a point mutation (166A>G) in the SLC4A1 gene, which encodes the amino acid substitution Lys56Glu. Two types of Band 3‐Memphis, variants I and II, are distinguished by their susceptibility to covalent labelling with 4,4′‐diisothiocyanato‐1,2‐diphenylethane‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid (H2DIDS). Memphis II is more readily labelled than Memphis I or normal band 3. It is reported that Memphis II is associated with Dia. In a study designed to determine the frequency of the DI*A/DI*B and 166A>G polymorphisms in different populations in Brazil, we found a new DI*A allele.Materials and Methods We studied DNA samples from 70 Amazonian Indians, 71 individuals of Japanese descent, 93 random Brazilian blood donors and 84 blacks with sickle cell disease. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) analyses were performed on all samples, using MspI for DI*A/DI*B (exon 19) and MnlI for 166A>G (exon 4). Exon 4 and exon 19 from four outliers were sequenced.Results Among Amazonian Indians, DI*A and 166G mutations both had a high frequency (0·57 and 0·54, respectively). In individuals of Japanese descent, these alleles were moderately frequent (0·07 and 0·19, respectively). We identified a new allele with DI*A and 166A (56Lys) in four Amazonian Indians.Conclusions Our results revealed that DI*A does not have a strict association with 166G. They also show the relevance of testing a cohort of different populations.
Prevalence of human erythrovirus B19 DNA in healthy Belgian blood donors and correlation with specific antibodies against structural and non‐structural viral proteins
Authors: Thomas I. , Di Giambattista M. , Gérard C. , Mathys E. , Hougardy V. , Latour B. , Branckaert T. , Laub R. 
Published: May 2003

Background and Objectives Human parvovirus (erythrovirus) B19 is recognized as a major contaminant of blood and blood products. To reduce the risk of contamination, plasma‐pool screening and exclusion of highly viraemic donations are recommended. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of B19 DNA in our blood‐donor population, to determine the appropriate pool size to be tested (taking into account parameters such as prevalence, viral load, test sensitivity, and the efficacy of inactivation procedures), and to correlate viral loads with the serological status of donors as regards antibodies against different viral proteins.Materials and Methods Pools of different sizes were tested for B19, using a sensitive nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as an simple, un‐nested, less sensitive PCR. Positive pools were resolved to the level of individual donations, and the viral load and serological markers were determined.Results Of 16 859 donations, 27 (one of 625) were found to be B19 DNA positive, with viral loads ranging from 102 to > 107 IU/ml. Twenty‐five of the positive donations were tested for VP‐specific anti‐B19 antibodies, and eight (32%) were negative for both immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG. They were probably collected in the preseroconversion window period or from chronic carriers without detectable antibodies. We regarded the seven (28%) IgM‐positive donors as being in the early phase of infection. The remaining 10 (40%) IgM‐negative, IgG‐positive donors were probably carriers of persistent infection (i.e. PCR positive despite the presence of IgG antibodies), as suggested by their low viral loads (< 104 IU/ml). Fifteen out of 36 major pools contained one or more contaminated donations. Among these, 12 tested positive by nested PCR and only three by un‐nested PCR, this reflecting a viral load of > 104 IU/ml.Conclusions By testing all donations as pools of 480 by un‐nested PCR, and resolving positive pools to identify the responsible donations, it is possible to ensure that the viral load in fractionation pools (5000 donations) remains < 103 IU/ml, compatible with the efficacy of inactivation procedures and complying with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations.
High frequency of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with β‐thalassemia receiving multiple transfusions
Authors: Singh H. , Pradhan M. , Singh R. L. , Phadke S. , Naik S. R. , Aggarwal R. , Naik S. 
Published: May 2003

Background and Objectives Hepatitis B virus (HBV) may occasionally be transmitted through transfusion of blood units that are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative but HBV DNA positive. Children with β‐thalassemia are particularly susceptible to HBV because they receive multiple blood transfusions. These children have high infection rates despite vaccination against HBV. Post‐vaccination infections may be a result of viruses harbouring surface (S)‐gene mutations (e.g. G587A) in a region critical for reactivity to antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs). The true prevalence of HBV in individuals with β‐thalassemia has not been studied previously.Patients and Methods Seventy patients with β‐thalassemia (median age 6 years; range 8 months to 22 years; 49 male), who had received seven to 623 (median 61) units of blood each and three doses (10/20 µg) of HBV vaccine (Engerix B) before presentation to us, were included in the study; 50 of the 70 patients had received transfusions prior to vaccination. Enzyme‐linked immunoassay for serological markers [HBsAg, antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) and quantitative anti‐HBs] and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Southern hybridization for molecular detection of hepatitis B, was performed on all samples. The PCR‐amplified product was cloned, sequenced and the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences for the HBV S and polymerase (P) genes were analysed for mutations.Results Four of 70 (5·7%) individuals with β‐thalassemia were HBsAg positive and 14 (20%) were anti‐HBc positive. The prevalence of serological markers increased with number of transfusions (P < 0·01). Of 70 patients, 53 (75·7%) had an anti‐HBs titre of > 10 IU/l following vaccination and 17 (24·3%) were non‐responders (< 10 IU/l); 22 (31·4%) of the 70 were DNA positive. The frequency of HBV infection in β‐thalassemia was similar in vaccine responders and non‐responders. The virus was of subtype ayw (genotype D) in the five DNA‐positive samples in which a 388‐nucleotide region of the S gene was sequenced. Mutations occurred at 13 positions in the S gene and at 10 positions in the P gene. Hydrophobicity plots revealed differences in amino acid regions 117–165 and 195–211. Some of these amino acid substitutions coincided with the putative cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte epitopes of both S and P proteins.Conclusions A high frequency of HBV infection was seen using molecular methods in thalassemic patients. The frequency of infection was similar in vaccine responders and non‐responders. A number of mutations were observed in the S gene, which could have implications for viral replication as well as virus–host cell interaction.
Will it ever be possible to balance the risk of intracranial haemorrhage in fetal or neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia against the risk of treatment strategies to prevent it?
Authors: Radder C. M. , Brand A. , Kanhai H. H. H. 
Published: May 2003

Background and Objectives Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) of the fetus or newborn is a severe complication of fetal or neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT). In order to attain management decisions to prevent ICH, the risk of ICH in successive pregnancies with thrombocytopenia, with or without a history of ICH, must be established.Materials and Methods We performed a search of medline for ICH cases in untreated FNAIT pregnancies. After exclusion of cases with confounding factors, 24 reports, describing 62 pregnancies of 27 mothers, were eligible. In addition, two mothers with five pregnancies were included from our own case records. Observational studies were examined to estimate the risk of ICH in subsequent FNAIT pregnancies without a history of ICH. Finally, medline was searched for complication rates in the treatment of FNAIT pregnancies.Results In 52% of the ICH cases, a previous sibling suffered from ICH. The recurrence rate of ICH in the subsequent offspring of women with a history of FNAIT with ICH was 72%[confidence interval (CI): 46–98%] without inclusion of fetal deaths and 79% (CI: 61–97%) with inclusion of fetal deaths. In 48% of the ICH cases, the previous sibling had thrombocytopenia but not ICH. Population studies revealed an overall ICH risk in thrombocytopenic infants of 11% (CI: 0·8–23%) without inclusion of fetal deaths and 15% (CI: 1·5–19%) with inclusion of fetal deaths. Assuming occurrence in 48%, the risk of ICH in a subsequent pregnancy following a history of FNAIT without ICH, was estimated to be 7% (CI: 0·5–13%). Invasive treatment strategies carry a risk of 2·8% (CI: 1·2–4·4%) on complications.Conclusions The number of eligible publications on ICH in untreated FNAIT pregnancies is strikingly limited. The recurrence rate is high. As sufficient data on successive FNAIT cases without ICH are lacking, the occurrence of ICH in pregnancies with thrombocytopenia, but without ICH in a previous sibling, cannot be predicted. We estimate this risk to be 7%. This risk must be balanced against the risk of interventions in treatment strategies.
In vivo and in vitro comparison of platelets stored in either synthetic media or plasma
Authors: De Wildt‐Eggen J. , Gulliksson H. 
Published: May 2003

Since 1980, several synthetic media have been developed for the storage of platelets for transfusion. At present, platelets suspended in approximately 70% synthetic medium and 30% plasma can be stored for at least 5 days at very stable pH levels, generally pH 6·8–7·2. Present knowledge suggests that synthetic media should contain at least acetate, citrate, phosphate, potassium and magnesium. Future studies will probably result in the inclusion of other components to this list. Glucose for platelet metabolism will generally be supplied by carryover of plasma from the original platelet preparation. In addition, improved plastic containers for the storage of platelets will probably facilitate the introduction of new synthetic media. In six studies comparing synthetic media with plasma as the storage environment, and involving patients with intensive chemotherapy for haematological malignancies, the clinical outcome in terms of corrected count increments (CCI) generally indicated similar results. Three studies suggested significant reduction of the incidence of transfusion reactions of platelets suspended in synthetic media as compared with plasma. For future comparisons of platelet storage in either plasma or new synthetic media, additional platelet survival and recovery studies, as well as patient‐transfusion studies, will be needed as in vitro data may not always reflect the clinical outcome. This will add further knowledge to data from the present few clinical studies available that compare storage of platelets in either synthetic media or plasma.
Bioassay method for assessing the virulence ofBeauveria bassianaagainst tarnished plant bug,Lygus lineolaris(Hem., Miridae)
Authors: Liu H. , Skinner M. , Parker B. L. 
Published: May 2003

Abstract:A standard bioassay method for assessing the pathogenicity ofBeauveria bassiana(Balsamo) Vuillemin (GHA strain) against second instar tarnished plant bug,Lygus lineolaris(Palisot de Beauvois) (Hem., Miridae) was developed. Several types of inoculation methods, assay containers and incubation times were tested. Our goal was to minimize control mortality and maximize treatment mortality. Five inoculation methods (immersing broccoli florets or bean pods, spraying broccoli florets or bean pods, and immersing insects) and four types of plastic containers (114‐, 171‐, 228‐ and 455‐ml) were tested. Immersing insects directly in a fungal suspension was the most effective inoculation method, which resulted in a treatment mortality of 70–81.3% at a concentration of 1 × 107 conidia/ml. The 114‐ml plastic container was the most suitable assay container when 10 tarnished plant bug nymphs were treated together, resulting in a control mortality of only 6% 12 days after treatment. Within the first 6 days after treatment, 71.1% of the insects were killed, compared with a total mortality of 81.3% after 12 days. Nymphs infected with the test fungus changed colour from green to black. Mycelial outgrowth and sporulation on the cadavers demonstrated that most nymphs died of fungal infection. A total of 61.1 and 80.5% of the cadavers showed signs of mycelial outgrowth 9 days after death among those that were surface sterilized and those that were not, respectively.
Assessment of chemical resistance of wild and cultivated Vigna species to the brown pod‐bug Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stal (Hem., Coreidae)
Authors: Koona P. , Osisanya E. O. , Lajide L. , Jackai L. E. N. , Tamo M. 
Published: May 2003

Abstract:The effects of secondary metabolites in different Vigna species on the development of Clavigralla tomentosicollis were investigated in an artificial seed system using different fractions of crude pod extracts, while the orientation response of this pod‐bug to volatile extracts was studied using a dual‐choice olfactometer. Feeding on the neutral fraction extracts, in contrast to the basic and acidic fractions, resulted in significantly higher mortalities, longer total developmental time, and lower growth index of the insects in comparison with controls. All volatile extracts elicited an avoidance reaction by C. tomentosicollis, except the volatile from the susceptible genotype IT84S‐2246 which generally attracted as many insects as controls. Extracts from wild Vigna species showed higher activity than those from their cultivated relatives. The present study which has established that most secondary metabolites in cowpea pods were localized in the neutral fraction of the crude extract, could facilitate experiments on the separation and characterization of the toxic factors involved.
Recent Isolates of Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus from Britain are more Closely Related to Isolates from USA than to Earlier British and Current Mainland European Isolates
Authors: Nettleton P. F. , Gilray J. A. , Caldow G. , Gidlow J. R. , Durkovic B. , Vilcek S. 
Published: May 2003

SummaryEight isolates of Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) were made from calves with severe respiratory disease on seven farms in one region of Britain. Genetic analysis of the viruses showed that seven, which were isolated between 1997 and 1999 were almost identical and were distinguishable from an earlier 1991 isolate. When compared with the available sequences of BRSVs from other countries, the recent British isolates were more closely related to US isolates than to earlier British and current mainland European isolates.
Listeria spp. Contamination in Piggeries: Comparison of Three Sites of Environmental Swabbing for Detection and Risk Factor Hypothesis
Authors: Belœil P.‐A. , Fravalo P. , Chauvin C. , Fablet C. , Salvat G. , Madec F. 
Published: May 2003

Summary Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen of major concern for public health in industrialized countries. Listeria carriage by pigs at the herd level could be a primary source for carcass contamination. Forty‐seven finishing pig facilities were involved in the present study designed to compare three environmental swabbing sites in order to detect Listeria spp. in piggeries. Swabs were taken from the pen walls, the perianal regions of the pigs and the trough/feeder of the piggery premises. Listeria contamination of wet or dry feed given to the pigs was also investigated. The capacity of the various sampling sites for Listeria spp. detection were compared with a maximum likelihood estimation method. Listeria spp. were recovered in 74% of the pens studied and L. monocytogenes was detected in 15% of pens. With a specificity of 99%, sensitivity estimates (and 95% CI) of the Listeria spp. detection method were 93.4% (72.7–98.7) for pen walls, 73.1% (54.9–85.9) for pigs and 66.6% (48.6–80.7) for the trough/feeder. Listeria spp. were isolated from 84% of wet feed samples and 5% of dry feed samples. Listeria monocytogenes was found in 13% of wet feed samples. The type of feeding (wet versus dry) was associated (P < 0.001) with Listeria spp. contamination of both the pen and the feed. The results of this study confirm that Listeria spp., including L. monocytogenes, are present in pig facilities. Pen wall swabbing appears to be an effective way to assess Listeria spp. status of finishing pigs. The type of feeding (wet versus dry) could play a role in pig contamination.