Effect of plateletpheresis on haematological values in voluntary donors: a retrospective data analysis over an eight-month period.

Aim To analyse changes in haematological values after plateletpheresis in donor population with regard to donor safety. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on first time and repeated healthy donors over a period of eight months in the Blood Transfusion Institute in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. A total of 75 plateletpheresis procedures performed using Amicus continuous flow cell separator were evaluated. Various pre- and post-donation haematological values were measured in all donors: haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), red blood cell count (RBC), platelet count (PLT), white blood cell count (WBC), mean platelet volume (MPV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Results A significant decrease in post-donation Hb, Hct, RBC, PLT, MCHC (p<0.000) and WBC (p=0.003), and a significant increase in MPV (p=0.011) and MCV (p<0.000) was found. Percentage reduction of haematological parameters Hb, Hct, RBC, PLT, WBC and MCHC decrease of 6.6%, 6.5%, 5.9%, 24%, 4.6% and 0.3%, respectively, in their respective count was noted postdonation. Eight (11%) donors had a post-procedure platelet count less than 150x10e9/L. Twenty two donors (29%) experienced mild side effects due to hypocalcaemia. Conclusion Plateletpheresis procedures are generally safe and well tolerated, without evident associated clinical manifestations on healthy donors.

Evolution of seroprevalence to SARS-CoV-2 in blood donors in Sarajevo Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.

Background: Sarajevo Canton in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded several waves of high SARS-CoV-2 transmission and has struggled to reach adequate vaccination coverage. We describe the evolution of infection- and vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody response and persistence. Methods: We conducted repeated cross-sectional analyses of blood donors aged 18-65 years in Sarajevo Canton in November-December 2020 and 2021. We analyzed serum samples for anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) and anti-spike (anti-S) antibodies. To assess immune durability, we conducted longitudinal analyses of seropositive participants at 6 and 12 months. Results: One thousand fifteen participants were included in Phase 1 (November-December 2020) and 1152 in Phase 2 (November-December 2021). Seroprevalence increased significantly from 19.2% (95% CI: 17.2%-21.4%) in Phase 1 to 91.6% (95% CI: 89.8%-93.1%) in Phase 2. Anti-S IgG titers were significantly higher among vaccinated (58.5%) than unvaccinated infected participants across vaccine products (p < 0.001), though highest among those who received an mRNA vaccine. At 6 months, 78/82 (95.1%) participants maintained anti-spike seropositivity; at 12 months, 58/58 (100.0%) participants were seropositive, and 33 (56.9%) had completed the primary vaccine series within 6 months. Among 11 unvaccinated participants who were not re-infected at 12 months, anti-S IgG declined from median 770.1 (IQR 615.0-1321.7) to 290.8 (IQR 175.7-400.3). Anti-N IgG antibodies waned earlier, from 35.4% seropositive at 6 months to 24.1% at 12 months. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence increased significantly over 12 months from end of 2020 to end of 2021. Although individuals with previous infection may have residual protection, COVID-19 vaccination is vital to strengthening population immunity.

The importance of plasma ferritin values in blood donors for the evaluation of body iron store in a five-month period.

Aim To present haemoglobin and ferritin parameters in donors to highlight the importance of serum ferritin testing for the purpose of evaluating iron depots in order to make recommendations for preserving a population of blood donors. Method A prospective study was conducted on 80 blood donors divided in two groups: group I (regular donors, n =40) and group II (irregular donors, n=40). Haemoglobin and ferritin were measured twice every 45 days, before two consecutive blood donations. Results By measuring haemoglobin and ferritin values before donation in both groups, a decrease of initial ferritin value in Group I relative to Group II was observed (without statistical significance). A significant decrease was found between repeated measurements for both parameters in both groups, indicating equal intensity of the decline in value regardless of a donor status. Measurement of ferritin before and after donation revealed statistically significant loss of ferritin in all examinees (p=0.011). The decline in haemoglobin after donation, although significant, did not fall below the reference value for donation in either women or men. Conclusion Results indicate the need for periodic monitoring of the plasma value of ferritin in voluntary donors who donate blood more than twice a year and the possible oral supplementation with iron.

Characteristics of autologous peripheral blood stem cells collection over a one-year period.

Aim To present characteristics of collecting autologous peripheral blood stem cells over a one-year period with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. Methods A retrograde analysis of 24 leukapheresis in 20 adult patients with malignant haematological diseases in the Blood Transfusion Institute of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, was done. Cell separators Amicus and Spectra Optia were used for collection procedures. Results The patient's age ranged from 27 to 65 years. Target cells were collected in one procedure in sixteen patients, while in four patients they were collected in two procedures. The mean CD34+ collection efficiency was 57.7%. The median number of CD34+ cells and percentage of CD34+ cells in the products were 5.52x10e6/kg (range 3.28-9.00) and 1.57% (range 0.96-2.91). A strong positive correlation was found between the number of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood on the apheresis day and the amount of CD34+ cells collected in the products (rs =0.73). A total of 95% of patients collected the amount of ≥3x10e6/kg and 55% of ≥5x10e6/kg CD34+ cells for a single transplant. A decrease in platelet count, haemoglobin and haematocrit values after the procedure was not significant. Potassium decrease showed statistical significance (p<0.000). Adverse events occurred during one procedure (4.2%). Conclusion A low number of adverse events and good collection efficiency with adequate patient monitoring, indicate that leukapheresis is a safe procedure that is successfully used in the autologous transplantation process in the treatment of malignant haematological diseases.