Are our blood donors in danger of iron deficiency?]

In blood donors the question arises for eventual endangering by iron deficiency. The results of this work show that ferritin determinations for blood donors will indicate a latent, in some cases a manifest iron deficiency. The examination of testing components such as PVC, MCH, Fe i. S., transferrin and transferrin saturation produced no special advantages concerning sensitivity and specificity, in terms of ferritin determination. It is indispensable, however, to know the ferritin value because the control of the Hb value prior to blood donation will usually characterize the blood donor's situation in a sufficient manner. For control purposes it is possible to use capillary or venous blood. It is only in general, but particularly in special clinical situations that you have to be aware of the blood donor's condition concerning his/her Fe-metabolism.     

Expression of anti-idiotypic clones against auto-anti-DNA antibodies in normal individuals

A serum pool from 280 blood donors and individual samples from blood donors were assayed for anti-idiotypic activity to auto-anti-DNA antibodies by competitive radioimmunoassays. We found that serum from several normal blood donors inhibited the binding activity of anti-DNA antibodies affinity purified from the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. This inhibition was due to immunoglobulin molecules but was not due to rheumatoid factor activity. Antiallotypic antibodies were not responsible for the anti-anti-DNA activity detected. Because this inhibition was blocked by DNA molecules, the observed reactivity was probably caused by idiotype-anti-idiotype interactions. These results provide evidence that anti-idiotype antibodies against anti-DNA autoantibodies are present in certain normal human sera. Anti-anti-DNA antibodies could play a role in the regulation of autoimmunity to DNA.     

Comparison of the protective effects on the erythrocytes of ceruloplasmin from the blood of healthy donors and patients with hepatocerebral dystrophy

The binding of the ceruloplasmin (CP) from the healthy donor's blood and of ceruloplasmin--like protein (p-CP) isolated from the Wilson disease patient's blood with erythrocytes (RBC) of healthy donors and with RBC of Wilson's patients (p-RBC) was investigated. It was shown, that the CP number of binding sites both on the RBC and p-RBC was significantly lower than that for p-CP, but Kd value for p-CP binding of the both types of erythrocytes was approximately 10 times higher than Kd value for CP. The protective action of CP on copper stimulated hemolysis is almost 3 times higher than that of p-CP. The protective action of CP on ferrous ion stimulated hemolysis doesn't correlate with its ferroxidase activity. On the contrary the protective effect of p-CP which has no ferroxidase activity is more powerful than that of CP.     

Evaluation of the antimicrobial potential of immune sera

The inhibiting activity of blood sera obtained from 20 volunteers immunized with the multi-component vaccine "PYOPOL", 25 nonimmune donors and 7 lots of human antistaphylococcal immunoglobulin with respect to Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been studied in the liquid nutrient medium with the use an automated microbiological analyzer. The sera of donors immunized with the vaccine "PYOPOL" have been found to possess high antimicrobial activity, comparable with the definite concentration of the antiseptic agent "Myramistin". The proposed method may be recommended for the evaluation of the bacteriostatic activity of different immuno- biological preparations.     

Comparison of structural and functional variation in class I HLA molecules: the role of charged amino acid substitutions

Functional and structural heterogeneity of HLA class I molecules was sought among five donors serologically identical for A2, A3, B7, and Bw44. Functional differences were identified by cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) after allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction among the five donors. Structural differences were characterized by high resolution two-dimensional electrophoretic maps of the class I HLA proteins synthesized by peripheral blood lymphocytes of these donors. Cells from three donors showed no CML-defined differences from one another; their HLA protein maps were identical. The cells of one donor recognized an A3-associated target antigen on the cells of all the other donors; her HLA map revealed a unique protein with altered isoelectric point. Another donor's cells differed by two CML-detected antigens: one was identified as a variant of Bw44 ("44.2") and the other was associated with Cw4. This donor's two-dimensional HLA map showed two novel charged proteins. By using these data, a two-dimensional map locating HLA-A2, -A3, -A3', -B7, -Bw44.1, -Bw44.2, and -Cw4 was prepared. Because each of three CML-detected antigens was correlated with a protein of distinctive charge, our results and the available published data raise the possibility that amino acid substitution producing charge variation may be a particularly important mechanism in the generation of CML-detectable HLA diversity.     

Erythrocyte catalase activity in chronic renal failure patients and donors in the presence of metal lons

The effect of hemodialysis on erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activity was studied in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. This enzyme was analyzed in vitro, and its activity throughout the incubation period was found to be 34% lower than in healthy donors. The influence of Al³⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺ on CAT activity in donor's blood (in vitro) is also studied, for short incubation periods at trace levels of 2.5, 0.25, and 0.196 mM, respectively. With Al³⁺ and Cu²⁺, there is a decrease in the enzyme activity. With Ni²⁺, there is at first a similar decrease, followed by a recovery in activity up to control values.     

Lymph node, spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes as stimulators of alloreactivity

Before and after kidney transplantations, in vitro tests that measure the level of reactivity between donor and recipient lymphocytes are performed for better organ selection and as indicator of possible organ rejection. In these tests, donor's and recipient's lymphocytes are stimulated for proliferation, which intensity is measured and accordingly organ recipient reactivity towards graft is determined. Lymph node, spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes are used for those purposes. For better interpretation of these in vitro tests it should be important to determine mitogenic ability of lymphocytes of different origin and to choose the most adequate cells. To compare mitogenic ability of deceased donor lymph node, spleen and peripheral blood lymphocytes one-way mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was used. As stimulators irradiated lymphocytes from spleen, lymph node and peripheral blood samples of 12 deceased donors were used while as responders lymphocytes from peripheral blood of healthy individuals, chosen according HLA-DRB1 alleles (stimulators and responders were HLA-DRB1 identical, semi-identical or different), were used. Spleen lymphocyte activity was the best with different cells and the weakest with identical cells. Impact of polyclonal mitogens (PHA - phytohemagglutinin, Con A - concanavalin A and PWM - pokeweed mitogen) on lymphocyte proliferation was tested on lymphocytes from spleen and lymph node of deceased donors. Results obtained in culture in vitro showed that spleen cells had exerted the best mitogenic potential and PHA had the greatest impact upon lymphocyte proliferation. This investigation is of importance for establishing the best model to reflect in vivo situation in transplanted patient.     

Unidirectional IgG allotype- and isotype-specific suppressor cells in congeneic mice

By the use of allotypic markers on immunoglobulin molecules of isotypes IgG1 and IgG2a, in transfers of spleen cells between Igh haplotype congeneic partner strains BALB/c (Igha) and CB20 (=BALB/c-Ighb), the expression of donor and recipient lymphocytes could be followed differentially. BALB/c donor's allotype a was produced in nonirradiated CB20 recipients for months. By contrast, CB20 donor's allotype b disappeared in nonirradiated BALB/c recipients shortly after transfer. These BALB/c recipients of CB20 spleen cells ("CB20-primed") developed lymphocytes which were able to suppress the autochthoneous allotype b production of CB20 irradiated or CB20 nu/nu or neonatal F1 (BALB/c female X CB20 male) recipients immediately after transfer. Titers decreased with a half life of about 4 days, resembling that of immunoglobulin molecules. The suppression was restricted to the IgG2a isotype of allotype b. Neither the other isotype IgG1 of allotype b, nor, in the reciprocal transfer experiment, IgG1 or IgG2a of allotype a was affected. Analogous transfers between Igh congeneic partners on a C57B1/6 genomic background revealed the same susceptibility of allotype b-producing cells from C57B1/6 donors toward suppression by C57B1/6-Igha mice as recipients. Allotype suppression, induced by cell transfer, is thus unidirectional in that Igha haplotype mice react against allotype b but not vice versa, and it is isotype-specific, only directed against IgG2a, and not IgG1.     

Electrophoretic control of serum proteins in donors designated for plasmapheresis. Initial evaluation of the analysis of 3500 donors

Total serum proteins were evaluated and serum protein electrophoresis performed on 3 500 blood donors after plasmapheresis. The results were standard for total serum proteins, serum albumin and immunoglobulin in 98% of the donors, whereas monoclonal immunoglobulin, immunodeficiencies or polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia were detected in 2% of them. The frequency of monoclonal components is roughly 0.3%, corresponding to the frequency observed in normal adults of 40 to 60 years old. Donors found with monoclonal immunoglobulins or immunodeficiency should not be considered as eligible for blood donation.     

Detection of lipid abnormalities in blood donors]

The high incidence of cardio- or cerebro-vascular diseases is positively correlated with hyperlipoproteinemia. A large-scale screening of blood donor's populations could be used for the prevention of the atherogenic disease. Therefore lipoproteins electrophoresis on cellogel was compared with serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and lipids in 1184 blood donors (792 men, 392 women). The electrophoretic pattern was found abnormal in 32 cases (25 men, 7 women). It was a type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia, according to the classification of the World Health Organization. In these 32 subjects, serum triglycerides, cholesterol and lipids concentrations were significantly higher (p less than 0,001) than in 41 other donors with a normal electrophoretic pattern. A good positive correlation was found between high blood pressure or obesity or blood group O and abnormal electrophoretic pattern. Lipoproteins electrophoresis on cellogel appears to be a suitable test (easy, fast and economical) in large-scale screening for dyslipidemia in subjects over 40, or at least in cases of mild hypertension or obesity.     

Suppression of the intradermal hypersensitivity reaction of the delayed type by a serum fraction from patients containing leukocyte migration inhibition factor]

The blood serum of patients with active tuberculosis of the lungs and chronic pneumonia inhibited migration of donor's leukocytes and macrophages of the peritonal exudate of guinea pigs when compared with migration of similar cells in the medium with the serum of cattle or donors. After chromatography these sera were fractionated on the columns with Sephadex G-100. Fractions containing the leukocyte migration inhibition factor (LMIF) suppressed, up to complete abolition, the intradermal reaction to tuberculin in man and guinea pigs sensitized with BCG. The LMIF is supposed to act in the regulation of delayed hypersensitivity reaction.     

A human autoreactive T cell line specific for minor histocompatibility antigen(s) isolated from a bone marrow-grafted patient

A human autoreactive T cell line named Bur-1 has been obtained from a woman 4 mo after an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from one of her HLA-identical brothers. The phenotype of the cell line is 100% T11+ and over 90% T4+, and the karyotype confirms its donor (male) origin. These donor T cells proliferate specifically in the presence of donor's peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) but not recipient's cells, and they kill specifically donor's but not recipient's Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). PBM from another HLA-identical brother and from several unrelated donors also stimulate Bur-1 cells, and EBV-induced LCL from the same donors are killed in cytotoxicity assays. All of these donors share HLA-DR5 or HLA-DRw11 (the major split of HLA-DR5) with Bur-1 cells. However, some but not all of the PBM sharing HLA-DR5 with Bur-1 cells are recognized. Therefore, in contrast with the previously described autoreactive T cells, Bur-1 cells are not directed against self-MHC antigens but rather recognize autologous minor histocompatibility (mH) antigens in the context of autologous HLA class II molecules. Because both male and female cells can be recognized, the reacting minor antigen could not be the male-specific HY antigen. It is suggested that autoreactivity against mH antigens can be observed in bone marrow-grafted patients due to the education of bone marrow donor precursors in the recipient thymus not allowing tolerance to autologous (donor) mH antigens not shared by the recipient.     

Hepatitis B virus screening in contacts of blood donors with antibodies against core protein (anti-HBC), but without surface antigen (HBsAg)

To increase blood safety Brazil introduced screening for anti-HBc among blood donors in 1993. There was a decrease in the hepatitis B virus (HB V) transmission, but this measure identified a great number ofHBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive donors. Surveillance policy determines that contacts of HBV carriers should be screened to HBV markers, but there is no recommendation about how to guide contacts of HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive donors. Aiming to evaluate whether the contacts of this group are at greater risk for HB V infection, a cross-sectional study was performed to compare prevalence of HBV infection between contacts of HBsAg-positive blood donors (group I) and contacts of HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive donors (group II). Contacts were submitted to a questionnaire and blood tests for HBV markers. In group I (n = 143), 53 (37.1%) were anti-HBc-positive and 11 (7.7%) were HBsAg-positive. In group II (n = 111), there were 9 and 0.9%, respectively. HB V exposure was associated with group I, sexual activity, blood transfusion, being one of the donor's parents, and living for more than ten years with the donor. Regarding the families as sample units, it was more common to find at least one member with HBV markers (p < 0.05) among the families of group I compared to group II. Contacts of HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive individuals presented a much lower risk of having already been exposed to HBV and there is no need to screen them for HBV in low to moderate prevalence populations.     

The use of blood plasma with elevated titers of antibodies to Re-chemotype glycolipid in peritonitis

The article analyzes the possibility of immunotherapy of septic complications in cases of peritonitis caused by gram-negative bacteria. A strictly inverse correlation between the severity of intoxication and the level of antibodies to glycolipid Re in blood serum has been established. About 5% of healthy nonimmunized donors have elevated Re-antibody titers (1:128 and higher) in their blood plasma. Screening of blood preparations from more than 1000 donors permitted the creation of the blood plasma bank used for the treatment of peritonitis patients. Immunotherapy of such patients has made it possible to decrease almost two-fold the death rate and to reduce the severity and duration of the intoxication syndrome in patients, as well as to improve the results of the treatment of peritonitis.     

Humoral mechanisms in the regulation of work hyperthermia

Thermal reactions were investigated in rabbits: blood plasma donors running on treadmill to exhaustion and resting blood plasma recipients. Blood plasma was infused in the ear's vein and in the third brain ventricle cavity. Small elevation of body cork temperature (0.3-0.4 degree C) with the latent period 40-50 min was found on plasma infusion in the ear's vein of recipient. Plasma perfusion through the third brain ventricle of the recipient caused two peaks of nearly the same amplitude (0.8-1.0 degrees C) in body core temperature. The second peak, which was registered in 12-15 min after the perfusion began, was induced, as the authors suggest, by the accumulation of "work factor" of thermoregulation in donor's plasma during muscular work. Humoral regulation of working hyperthermia is discussed.     

The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among asymptomatic blood donors in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundIn late 2019, cases of severe pneumonia with unidentified etiology began to emerge in Wuhan, China, before progressively spreading first nationally and then globally.The current study sought to investigate the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among blood donors in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Saudi Arabia to screen blood donors who were not known to be previously infected with SARS-CoV-2.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study to assess individuals who donated blood to the central blood bank in Al-Madinah between mid-May and mid-July 2020. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was designed and established to detect antibodies directed against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in serum samples. A total of 1,212 healthy blood donors participated in this study. The donors were males and met the requirements for blood donation during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Saudi Arabia.ResultsThe SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Al-Madinah was 19.31% (n = 234/1212; 95% confidence interval: 17.12%–21.64%). No statistically significant difference was identified in seropositivity according to age. However, significant differences (p < 0.001) were identified according to ABO blood groups, with those with type A blood presenting the highest rate of seropositivity (29.18%) compared with the other blood groups (12.65% for type B, 16.36% for type AB, and 15.11% for type O).ConclusionA high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was detected among blood donors in Al-Madinah, which indicated a high level of exposure to the virus within the population. This further suggested that as high as one-fifth of the population may have acquired innate immunity against the virus.     

How special is a 'special' interval: modeling departure from length-biased sampling in renewal processes

Length-biased sampling occurs in renewal processes when the probability that an interval is selected is proportional to the length of the interval. This can occur when intervals are selected because they contain an event that is independent of the renewal process and occurs with constant hazard. For example, if the times between donations for repeat blood donors are independent and identically distributed, and if the donor seroconverts to HIV (develops antibodies that indicate infection with human immunodeficiency virus), then the interval between the last HIV seronegative and first HIV seropositive test is expected to be longer than that donor's previous time intervals between donations. We develop hypothesis tests to determine if the relationship between the typical and length-biased intervals is as expected, or if there is departure from length-biased sampling. We further develop a regression method to determine if there are covariates that explain the departure from length-biased sampling. Our approach is motivated by the question of whether there is evidence that repeat blood donors who develop antibodies to HIV or other viral infections change their donation pattern in some way because of seroconversion.     

Persistence of antibodies of the IgG class against cytomegaloviruses in blood donors

High titre plasmas gained from blood donors are the initial material used for producing human immunoglobulin containing cytomegalovirus antibodies (CMV-HIG). For this purpose the sera gained from 467 permanent donors at the District Institute for Blood and Transfusion Service in Berlin were investigated on their CMV antibody content of IgG class by means of an indirect immunofluorescence test (IFT). The infection rate of blood donors amounted to 62% (291/467). CMV-IgG titre greater than or equal to 1:40 was determined in 88 sera (18.8%) and greater than or equal to 1:160 in 14 sera (3%). Two CMV-HIG laboratory samples (charges 3113 and 3117) were produced from these plasmas. Particularly immunoglobulin fraction of charge 3117 (No. 3117 N II) revealed excellent antibody titres (IFT 1:640 [CMV-IgG] or 1:40 [CMV-IgM] respectively, neutralisation test 1:32). Checks made with the donors' CMV-IgG titres after repeated application of plasmapheresis resulted in maximal titres changes of two dilution stages in a period of 15 months. Thus, in producing CMV-HIG a sure, tested pool of donors can be resorted to.     

The correlation between the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges and the kinetics of human lymphocyte proliferation: the dependence on the sex of the donor

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and average generation time (AGT) were studied in lymphocytes from 35 donors (23 females and 12 males). A higher SCE frequency was found in lymphocytes from females than from males. Smoking increased SCE frequency in lymphocytes of males, but not of females. No differences in AGTs between males and females were found. Partial correlation coefficients between SCE frequency, AGT values, donor's age and smoking were determined. A statistically significant correlation (r = 0.650, P less than 0.01) between SCE frequency and AGT was found in lymphocytes obtained from females. In lymphocytes from males statistically significant partial correlation coefficients were detected between SCE frequency and AGT (r = -0.696, P less than 0.05), SCE frequency and donor's age (r = 0.770, P less than 0.01), SCE frequency and smoking intensity (r = 0.697, P less than 0.01), AGT value and donor's age (r = 0.882, P less than 0.01), and AGT value and smoking (r = 0.634, P less than 0.05). Thus, considerable differences in number of indices between males and females exist. The present observations together with other studies (D'Souza et al., 1988) suggest that considerations for population monitoring using cytogenetic techniques (ICPEMC Publication No 14) may be supplemented with the recommendation to use (whenever it possible) only males as donors in population studies.     

ATP acts as an agonist to promote stimulus-induced secretion of IL-1 beta and IL-18 in human blood

Cultured monocytes and macrophages stimulated with LPS produce large quantities of proIL-1beta, but release little mature cytokine to the medium. The efficiency at which the procytokine is converted to its active 17-kDa species and released extracellularly is enhanced by treating cytokine-producing cells with a secretion stimulus such as ATP or nigericin. To determine whether this need for a secretion stimulus extends to blood, individual donors were bled twice daily for 4 consecutive days, and the collected blood samples were subjected to a two-step IL-1 production assay. LPS-activated blood samples generated cell-free IL-1beta, but levels of the extracellular cytokine were greatly increased by subsequent treatment with ATP or nigericin. Specificity and concentration requirements of the nucleotide triphosphate effect suggests a P2X(7) receptor involvement. Quantities of IL-1beta generated by an individual donor's blood in response to the LPS-only and LPS/ATP stimuli were relatively consistent over the 4-day period. Between donors, consistent differences in cytokine production capacity were observed. Blood samples treated with ATP also demonstrated enhanced IL-18 production, but TNF-alpha levels decreased. Among leukocytes, monocytes appeared to be the most affected cellular targets of the ATP stimulus. These studies indicate that an exogenous stimulus is required by blood for the efficient production of IL-1beta and IL-18, and suggest that circulating blood monocytes constitutively express a P2X(7)-like receptor.