Analysis of plateletpheresis donor deferral rate, characteristics, and its preventability

Introduction: Plateletpheresis is a procedure included in donor apheresis in which the donor blood is passed through an extraction machine, the platelets are extracted, and the remainder is returned into the circulation. Donor selection is important because donors are the only source for meeting blood product needs. In our study we aimed to evaluate deferral reasons in applications for plateletpheresis donation and reveal determine the preventable ones among them. Materials And Methods: The persons who were admitted to our Blood Center to be plateletpheresis donors during the period of six month, after a demand/request for platelet suspension was issued by the clinics. Their eligibility for being plateletapeheresis donors was decided. Results: A total of 1098 persons have applied to be plateletpheresis donors; 1045 were male and 53 female. A total of 787 persons were found to be eligible for being plateletpheresis donors; 772 were male and 15 female. 891 units of apheresis platelets were obtained from apheresis donors, including double units collected from 104 of them. Applications of 311 persons were deferred due to various reasons. The most common reason for donor deferral was inappropriate vascular access in 80 persons (25.7%, 69 males, 11 females). This is followed by abnormal laboratory values in 57 persons (18.3%) and drug use (most commonly analgesics) in 46 persons (14.7%). Discussion: During the assessment of blood product donors, proper selection of the candidates should be considered very carefully in order to not to harm the donor but to supply the demand of the recipient properly. When the deferral reasons were evaluated, improvement of in-hospital technical reasons and education sessions for people in order to increase the social awareness may substantially decrease the deferral rates

Biofilm modelling on the contact lenses and comparison of the in vitro activities of multipurpose lens solutions and antibiotics

During the contact lens (CL) usage, microbial adhesion and biofilm formation are crucial threats for eye health due to the development of mature biofilms on CL surfaces associated with serious eye infections such as keratitis. For CL related eye infections, multi drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus (especially MRSA) and Candida albicans are the most common infectious bacteria and yeast, respectively. In this study, CL biofilm models were created by comparing them to reveal the differences on specific conditions. Then the anti-biofilm activities of some commercially available multipurpose CL solutions (MPSs) and antibiotic eye drops against mature biofilms of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and C. albicans standard and clinical strains were determined by the time killing curve (TKC) method at 6, 24 and 48 h. According to the biofilm formation models, the optimal biofilms occurred in a mixture of bovine serum albumin (20% v/v) and lysozyme (2 g/L) diluted in PBS at 37 degrees C for 24 h, without shaking. When we compared the CL types under the same conditions, the strongest biofilms according to their cell density, were formed on Pure Vision >= Softens 38 > Acuve 2 similar to Softens Toric CLs. When we compared the used CLs with the new ones, a significant increase at the density of biofilms on the used CLs was observed. The most active MPS against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus biofilms at 24 h was Opti-Free followed by Bio-True and Renu according to the TKC analyses. In addition, the most active MPS against C. albicans was Renu followed by Opti-Free and Bio-True at 48 h. None of the MPSs showed 3 Log bactericidal/fungicidal activity, except for Opti-Free against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms during 6 h contact time. Moreover, all studied antibiotic eye drops were active against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms on CLs at 6 h and 24 h either directly or as 1/10 concentration, respectively. According to the results of the study, anti-biofilm activities of MPSs have changed depending on the chemical ingredients and contact times of MPSs, the type of infectious agent, and especially the CL type and usage time

Changes in serologic markers of hepatitis B in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most prominent health threats worldwide. Hepatitis B exacerbation is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who are the candidates of cytotoxic, immunosuppressive therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in areas where chronic hepatitis B infection is endemic. Patient and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit. A total of 64 patients, who underwent autologous HSCT were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 64 patients with median age of 57 (22–79) years and gender distribution of 66% (n = 42) males and 34% (n = 22) females, who underwent autologous HSCT were included in the study. Three patients who were identified as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive prior to the transplantation had autologous HSCT under lamivudine prophylaxis. HBV reactivation had occurred in one of these patients. Hepatitis B infection (reverse seroconversion) was identified in one of the two patients who were HBsAg negative and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive prior to the treatment via serologic tests performed due to transaminase increases observed on day 407 in one case and on day 222 in the other. Conclusion: HBsAg positivity constitutes an independent risk factor for HSCT. In addition, it is necessary to administer prophylaxis and/or be more cautious in HBsAg negative patients prior to the transplantation and those with antibody positivity as they are more likely to develop reverse seroconversion

Antimicrobial activities of widely consumed herbal teas, alone or in combination with antibiotics: an in vitro study

Background. Because of increasing antibiotic resistance, herbal teas are the most popular natural alternatives for the treatment of infectious diseases, and are currently gaining more importance. We examined the antimicrobial activities of 31 herbal teas both alone and in combination with antibiotics or antifungals against some standard and clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, methicillin susceptible/resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans

Antimicrobial activities of widely consumed herbal teas, alone or in combination with antibiotics: an in vitro study

Background Because of increasing antibiotic resistance, herbal teas are the most popular natural alternatives for the treatment of infectious diseases, and are currently gaining more importance. We examined the antimicrobial activities of 31 herbal teas both alone and in combination with antibiotics or antifungals against some standard and clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, methicillin susceptible/resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Methods The antimicrobial activities of the teas were determined by using the disk diffusion and microbroth dilution methods, and the combination studies were examined by using the microbroth checkerboard and the time killing curve methods. Results Rosehip, rosehip bag, pomegranate blossom, thyme, wormwood, mint, echinacea bag, cinnamon, black, and green teas were active against most of the studied microorganisms. In the combination studies, we characterized all the expected effects (synergistic, additive, and antagonistic) between the teas and the antimicrobials. While synergy was observed more frequently between ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, or nystatine, and the various tea combinations, most of the effects between the ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, cefuroxime, or amikacin and various tea combinations, particularly rosehip, rosehip bag, and pomegranate blossom teas, were antagonistic. The results of the time kill curve analyses showed that none of the herbal teas were bactericidal in their usage concentrations; however, in combination with antibiotics they showed some bactericidal effect. Discussion Some herbal teas, particularly rosehip and pomegranate blossom should be avoided because of their antagonistic interactions with some antibiotics during the course of antibiotic treatment or they should be consumed alone for their antimicrobial activities

In vitro activities of antifungals alone and in combination with tigecycline against Candida albicans biofilms

WOS: 000439944000005PubMed ID: 30065873Background. Candida may form biofilms, which are thought to underlie the most recalcitrant infections. Methods. In this study, activities of antifungal agents alone and in combination with tigecycline against planktonic cells and mature and developing biofilms of Candida albicans isolates were evaluated. Results. Amphotericin B and echinocandins were found to be the most effective agents against mature biofilms, whereas the least effective agent was fluconazole. Furthermore, the most effective anti-fungal monotherapies against biofilm formation were amphotericin B and anidulafungin, and the least effective monotherapy was itraconazole. The combination of tigecycline and amphotericin B yielded synergistic effects, whereas combinations containing itraconazole yielded antagonist effects against planktonic cells. The combination of tigecycline and caspofungin exhibited maximum efficacy against mature biofilms, whereas combinations containing itraconazole exhibited minimal effects. Combinations of tigecycline with amphotericin B or anidulafungin were highly effective against C. albicans biofllm formation. Discussion. In summary, tigecycline was highly active against C. albicans particularly when combined with amphotericin B and echinocandins.Research Fund of Istanbul University [32917]This work was supported by the Research Fund of Istanbul University (project number 32917). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

In vitro activities of antifungals alone and in combination with tigecycline against Candida albicans biofilms

Background. Candida may form biofilms, which are thought to underlie the most recalcitrant infections

Rhabdomyolysis in a Healthy Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donor following Mobilization with Filgrastim

Background: Although granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilization is generally well tolerated by healthy donors, there is also a wide spectrum of adverse events associated with it. Among these events, rhabdomyolysis in peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors is very rare. In this paper, we present a first case of rhabdomyolysis after administration of filgrastim for PBSC mobilization. Case Report: A 6-year-old donor received 10 mu g/kg/day filgrastim subcutaneously for 5 days. On the 3rd day of filgrastim, the donor complained of bone pain; a single dose of paracetamol (250 mg) was given to relieve pain. On the 4th day, she complained of bone pain, myalgia, and vomiting. On laboratory analysis, serum creatine phosphokinase was 1,095 U/l (40-226 U/l), LDH 312 U/l (100-190 U/l), aspartate aminotransferase 85 U/l (0-40 U/l), potassium 3.3 mmol/l (3.6-5.1 mmol/l). Urine myoglobin was 110 ng/ml (< 5 ng/ml). Rhabdomyolysis was suspected on clinical and laboratory findings. Clinical manifestations regressed and the laboratory results returned to normal within three days after intravenously forced diuresis and potassium replacement. Stem cells were successfully harvested from peripheral blood on the 5th day of G-CSF therapy. Conclusion: Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but important adverse effect of G-CSF. Allogeneic PBSC donors should be closely monitored with regard to rhabdomyolysis after G-CSF administration in the mobilization setting