How we secured a COVID-19 convalescent plasma procurement scheme in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In order to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, a COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) procurement program was initiated in Japan in April 2020. The program was a collaboration between a government-managed national hospital, an infectious disease research institute, and a blood banking organization. Each party assumed different responsibilities: recruitment, SARS-CoV-2 antibody profiling, and plasmapheresis; conduction of screening tests; and SARS-CoV-2 blood testing, respectively. METHODS: We adopted a two-point screening approach before the collected CCP was labeled as a CCP product for investigational use, for which we mainly tested anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody eligibility and blood product eligibility. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein titer was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the IC50 value was denoted as the neutralizing activity. Blood donor eligibility was extended beyond the normal blood donation guidelines to include a broader range of participants. After both eligibility criteria were confirmed, participants were asked to revisit the hospital for blood donation, which is a unique aspect of the Japanese CCP program, as most donations are taking place in normal blood donation venues in other countries. Some donors were re-scheduled for repeat plasma donations. As public interest in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies increased, test results were given to the participants. RESULTS: As of September 17, 2020, our collection of CCP products was sufficient to treat more than 100 patients. As a result, projects for administration and distribution are also being conducted. CONCLUSIONS: We successfully implemented a CCP procurement scheme with the goal to expand to other parts of the country to improve treatment options for COVID-19.

Sarcoidosis of the breast.

We report a case of sarcoidosis of the breast in a 31-year-old woman who presented with a palpable breast mass. The mammography showed a spiculated mass without any microcalcifications. Ultrasonogram showed a hypoechoic mass. Computed tomography showed a spiculated nodule. T2-weighted MR images with fat-suppression technique showed a mass with irregular border that appeared to be an accumulation of small nodules. Gadolinium-enhanced dynamic study showed gradually increasing signal intensity. She underwent excisional biopsy and the pathological findings were consistent with that of sarcoidosis. The MRI findings were well correlated with histopathological appearance.

[Evaluation of strongly hyperintense area in breast lesions on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images correlated with histopathology].

The purpose of this study was to correlate strongly hyperintense areas(SHI) in breast lesions on FS-T2WI with histopathology and to evaluate the usefulness of the distribution patterns of SHI in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. MR imaging with pathological correlation was available in 157 breast lesions of 153 patients. The distribution patterns of SHI were classified into seven types. SHI on FS-T2WI was identified in 36 of 157 breast lesions. The irregular and inhomogenous types corresponded to various histological features and were only seen in malignant lesions. The central type corresponded to central necrosis and was only seen in 2 solid-tubular carcinomas. The crescent type corresponded to peripheral fluid collection in the intracystic tumor. The septal type corresponded to fibromyxoid stroma with fibrous septations in the lesions except for one cavernous hemangioma, and was only seen in benign lesions. The smooth type corresponded to mucinous pool, fibromyxoid stroma, and ductal dilatation and did not contribute to differentiation between benign and malignant lesions only on FS-T2WI. SHI in breast lesions on FS-T2WI pathologically corresponded to mucin, fibromyxoid change, necrosis, and ductal dilatation. Evaluation of patterns of SHI is useful in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions.