Unique donor-suitability issues.

On occasion, there arise questions or situations involving blood-donor eligibility determination, which are not adequately addressed by the existing regulations and standards. In such instances, even the most experienced blood collector may be uncertain regarding the best course of action and unable to find adequate guidance in the standard blood banking references, regulations and literature. In order to examine this area in greater depth, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) sponsored a short topic session on 'Unique Donor Suitability Issues' at their 2004 annual meeting. The invited speakers were four seasoned physician medical directors, with a combined experience of over 40 years in blood collection at both regional and national levels. They were tasked with identifying and researching problematic areas in donor-suitability determination, and suggesting an overall approach to dealing with such issues. They determined that three of the most problematic areas of eligibility evaluation included donors with: (1) disabilities, (2) disorders of haemostasis, and (3) trans-sexual, homosexual and other unusual gender-related issues. Each of these topics was presented in a 10-min lecture, followed by an open format consisting of audience participation and panel discussion by the speakers. The session was additionally enhanced by a representative of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who participated as a member of the audience. This review presents the contents of the short topic session in an expanded form.

Safety of large-volume leukapheresis for collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells.

Large volume leukapheresis (LVL) reduces the number of procedures required to obtain adequate peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) for autologous hematopoietic reconstitution. LVL involves the processing of > 15 L or 5 patient blood volumes using high flow rates. We report our experience with LVL evaluating its efficiency and adverse effects in 71 adult patients with hematologic or solid organ malignancies. All were mobilized with chemotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). All collections used a double lumen apheresis catheter. Mean values per LVL were as follows: blood processed, 24.6 L; patient blood volumes processed, 5.9; ACD-A used, 1,048 ml; heparin used, 6,148 units; collect time, 290 min; blood flow rate, 89 ml/min. Eighty percent of the collections were completed in one or two procedures to obtain > or = 6.0 x 10(8) MNCs/kg body weight. The most frequent side effect (39%) was parasthesia due to citrate-related hypocalcemia. This was managed with oral calcium supplements and/or slower flow rates. Post-LVL electrolyte changes were generally asymptomatic. Prophylactic oral potassium supplements were administered in 57% of cases. Other reactions included hypotension (4%), prolonged parasthesia (1.4%), and headache (1.4%). Catheter problems in 9 (13%) of the procedures were attributed to clot formation (37%) or positional effects (63%). No bleeding occurred. Post-LVL decreases in hematocrit and platelet count averaged 3.5% and 46%, respectively. Six (4%) of the procedures required red blood cell transfusions. Platelet transfusions were given in 19 (13%) of the procedures. We conclude that adverse reactions with LVL are similar to those reported for conventional PBPC collections, making it safe and efficacious as an outpatient procedure.

Infections in children with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: an autopsy study of 30 cases in south Florida, 1990-1993.

Thirty autopsies performed on infants and children with HIV infection and/or AIDS were reviewed for the presence and type of infection. Twenty-six (87%) demonstrated evidence of infection in addition to HIV at the time of postmortem examination. Pathogenic bacterial infectious were the most frequently encountered, seen in 15 of the cases. Nine of the 15 (60%) were due to gram-negative rods, most commonly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infections with gram-negative organisms often involved multiple organ systems and were frequently undiagnosed both pre- and postmortem because of variability in culture results and difficulties in identification both clinically and in tissue sections. Discussion is presented of unusual staining characteristics and filamentous morphology found with these pathogens. Other pathogenic bacteria encountered were Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sp., and Staphylococcus. Fungal infections due to Candida species were present in nine cases (31%) but were invasive in only two of these. One instance of Aspergillus meningo-encephalitis was noted. Proven viral infections were present in five children (three cytomegalovirus, one herpes simplex, and one adenovirus). Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was diagnosed in five of the patients (17%), and one instance of disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare was encountered.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura as the cause of death in an HIV-positive child.

A case of fatal thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a pediatric patients with HIV infection is reported. The diagnosis was made at autopsy based on the presence of platelet microthrombi in multiple organs, including the cardiac conduction system. The disease presented atypically with hemorrhagic manifestations, thrombocytopenia, and hemolytic anemia, without significant accompanying neurologic and renal abnormalities. Autoimmune-based thrombocytopenia has been well documented in the presence of HIV infection in both the adult and the pediatric population. We believe this to be the first reported case of TTP in an HIV-positive child.

Cluster of iniencephaly in Miami.

This report details a cluster of 5 cases of iniencephaly with anencephaly and rachischisis occurring over a 4-month period at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami Medical Center in Miami, Florida. All 5 cases of this rare, lethal, congenital malformation seen in the cluster included diaphragmatic defects with accompanying hernia, omphalocele, small adrenals, renal dysmaturity, gastrointestinal malformations, cleft lip and palate, and hypoplastic lungs. No single causative agent for this cluster was identified. A brief review of the literature regarding categorization of these malformations and as a discussion of the embryological basis for these lesions and possible etiologic factors are included.