Association of ABO and Rh blood groups to HBV, HCV infections among blood donors in a blood bank of tertiary care teaching hospital in Southern India: A retrospective study

Background: ABO blood group has been found to be associated with the risk of several diseases. Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are also the major health problems worldwide. This work was therefore aimed at assessing the ABO and Rh blood group antigens and its association with HBV and HCV seroreactive status among healthy blood donors.Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional analytical study carried out in the department of Transfusion Medicine of a tertiary care teaching hospital blood bank for a period of 6 years (January 2009 to December 2014). Data retrieved from blood bank records included the donors’ ABO group, Rh type and the result of HBV, HCV serology.Results: A total number of 41652 blood donors were registered and screened during the study period. The commonest blood group was O constituting 41.5% followed by B-32.6%, A-19.8%, AB-6.1% and Bombay-0.02%. Rh-D positive donors were 92.9% and remaining 7.1% were Rh-D negative. The overall prevalence of HBV and HCV were 2.4% and 0.4% respectively. Among total HBV and HCV seroreactive donors 41.7% and 37.9% were O blood group, B-30.9%, 32.7% A-21.6%, 21.2% and AB-5.7%, 8% respectively. Among the total HBV and HCV seroreactive group, 93.7% and 93.1% had Rh-D positive blood group and remaining 6.3% and 6.9% had Rh-D negative blood group respectively.Conclusion: In this study conducted to determine the predominant blood group antigen and its association with HBV and HCV seroreactivity, there was no association between blood group antigens with these infections.

Neurodevelopmental disorders in children aged 2-9 years: Population-based burden estimates across five regions in India.

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compromise the development and attainment of full social and economic potential at individual, family, community, and country levels. Paucity of data on NDDs slows down policy and programmatic action in most developing countries despite perceived high burden. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We assessed 3,964 children (with almost equal number of boys and girls distributed in 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories) identified from five geographically diverse populations in India using cluster sampling technique (probability proportionate to population size). These were from the North-Central, i.e., Palwal (N = 998; all rural, 16.4% non-Hindu, 25.3% from scheduled caste/tribe [SC-ST] [these are considered underserved communities who are eligible for affirmative action]); North, i.e., Kangra (N = 997; 91.6% rural, 3.7% non-Hindu, 25.3% SC-ST); East, i.e., Dhenkanal (N = 981; 89.8% rural, 1.2% non-Hindu, 38.0% SC-ST); South, i.e., Hyderabad (N = 495; all urban, 25.7% non-Hindu, 27.3% SC-ST) and West, i.e., North Goa (N = 493; 68.0% rural, 11.4% non-Hindu, 18.5% SC-ST). All children were assessed for vision impairment (VI), epilepsy (Epi), neuromotor impairments including cerebral palsy (NMI-CP), hearing impairment (HI), speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and intellectual disability (ID). Furthermore, 6-9-year-old children were also assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders (LDs). We standardized sample characteristics as per Census of India 2011 to arrive at district level and all-sites-pooled estimates. Site-specific prevalence of any of seven NDDs in 2-<6 year olds ranged from 2.9% (95% CI 1.6-5.5) to 18.7% (95% CI 14.7-23.6), and for any of nine NDDs in the 6-9-year-old children, from 6.5% (95% CI 4.6-9.1) to 18.5% (95% CI 15.3-22.3). Two or more NDDs were present in 0.4% (95% CI 0.1-1.7) to 4.3% (95% CI 2.2-8.2) in the younger age category and 0.7% (95% CI 0.2-2.0) to 5.3% (95% CI 3.3-8.2) in the older age category. All-site-pooled estimates for NDDs were 9.2% (95% CI 7.5-11.2) and 13.6% (95% CI 11.3-16.2) in children of 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories, respectively, without significant difference according to gender, rural/urban residence, or religion; almost one-fifth of these children had more than one NDD. The pooled estimates for prevalence increased by up to three percentage points when these were adjusted for national rates of stunting or low birth weight (LBW). HI, ID, speech and language disorders, Epi, and LDs were the common NDDs across sites. Upon risk modelling, noninstitutional delivery, history of perinatal asphyxia, neonatal illness, postnatal neurological/brain infections, stunting, LBW/prematurity, and older age category (6-9 year) were significantly associated with NDDs. The study sample was underrepresentative of stunting and LBW and had a 15.6% refusal. These factors could be contributing to underestimation of the true NDD burden in our population. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies NDDs in children aged 2-9 years as a significant public health burden for India. HI was higher than and ASD prevalence comparable to the published global literature. Most risk factors of NDDs were modifiable and amenable to public health interventions

Association of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Virus IgG antibody levels in COVID-19 recovered individuals with age, gender, blood group and computerized tomography severity index

Introduction: The continued spread of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has prompted widespread concern around the world. Currently, the antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly understood and the clinical utility of serological testing is unclear.Aim: To study association of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels in COVID-19 recovered individuals with age, gender, blood group and computerized tomography (CT) severity index.Material and methods: This cross sectional observational study was done in the department of Transfusion Medicine, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati from April 2020 to June 2020. CT severity index was classified into mild, moderate and severe depending on the CT score. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were measured by enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay technology and signal to cutoff ratio was measured. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0, continuous data by Mann Whitney U test and categorical data by Fisher’s exact test.Results: The mean age of study population was 45.4 years with majority of the study population between 41-50 years (36.8%). Males constituted 57.9% and remaining 42.1% were females. The most common blood group was B positive (42.1%) followed by O (36.8%) and ‘A’ positive (21.1%). Majority of study population (57.9%) had severe CT severity index. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels with S/C ratio of &lt;9.5 belongs to 42.1%, remaining 57.9% had &gt;9.5 (S/C).Conclusion: The significant association between CT severity index and SARS CoV-2 IgG antibodies may be helpful to select convalescent plasma donors for the centres where the facilities for SARS CoV-2 IgG antibodies testing are not available

Burden of transfusion transmissible viral infections among blood donors at a tertiary care referral teaching hospital in South India

Background: Blood serves as a vehicle for transmission of blood-borne pathogens including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of these transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) in blood donors. Methods: All blood donors presenting to the blood bank at our tertiary care teaching hospital were screened for HIV, HBV and HCV by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Results: During the period January to December 2014, 9958 blood donors were screened for viral markers. The prevalence of HIV, HBsAg and HCV was 0.36%, 1.67%, and 0.56% respectively. Conclusions: Although multiple critical steps are taken to minimize the risk of infection from transfusion of blood or blood products, this risk can never be entirely eliminated. Stringent donor selection, proper counseling and deferral/ self exclusion may reduce the seroreactivity in donated blood and wastage of resources

Diet, nutrition and cardiac risk factor profile of tribal migrant population in an urban slum in India

Migration of tribal population to urban areas may increase the risk of non-communicable chronic diseases. In this study an attempt was made to explore the risk factors influencing cardio vascular disease, hypertension and Type 2 diabetes among the tribal migrants living in urban areas. A population based cross sectional study was carried out on tribal migrants (n=138 men, n=137 women aged ≥30 years) of low economic status, living in an urban slum (Kondapur) of Hyderabad, Telangana, India.  Blood lipids, glucose, homocysteine, glycated Haemoglobin, blood pressure and nutritional biochemical markers such as serum albumin, serum protein, Vitamin-D and haemoglobin were examined in a subsample of tribal migrants. The prevalence of overweight in men and women was 35.3% and 32.4% while general obesity was 14.3% and 24.3% respectively. In addition, high concentration of total cholesterol, low density lipo proteins (LDL), triglycerides, homocysteine and glycosylated haemoglobin in the study population was also observed.  Duration of stay had no significant association with overweight and obesity. Majority of tribal migrants did not meet at least 50% of RDI of micro-nutrients such as iron (80-84%), vitamin A (81-83%) and riboflavin (67-84%). Similar finding was observed with food groups such as leafy vegetables (84-91%), milk and milk products. However, the consumption of fat and protein was found to be ≥70% of RDA indicating transition in diet pattern. The present study shows urban life style and diets may predispose to higher incidence of diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among tribal migrants living in urban areas

Distribution of ABO and rhesus (D) blood group antigens among blood donors at a tertiary care teaching hospital blood bank in south India

Background: The ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood group systems are important for transfusion of blood and its components, organ transplantation, genetic studies and in medico-legal issues. Despite the long list of several other blood groups discovered so far, the knowledge and distribution of ABO and Rh-D blood group are essential for effective management of blood bank inventory. Methods: We retrospectively studied the distribution of ABO and Rh blood group antigens in donors presenting to our tertiary care teaching hospital blood bank in south India during the period January 2007 to August 2014. Blood group was determined by commercially available standard monoclonal antisera by test tube agglutination technique. Results: A total of 49,110 donor samples were tested during the study period for ABO grouping and Rh-D typing. Out of these 96.9% were males. The frequency of O, B, A, AB and Bombay blood groups were 41.7%, 32.2% 20%, 6.1% and 0.03% respectively. Rh (D) positive and negative blood groups were seen in 92.8% and 7.2% respectively. The allele frequencies of the I A , IB and IO alleles were 0.1398, 0.2148 and 0.6454 respectively. In case of Rh-D group, the calculated gene frequencies for ID and Id were 0.7321 and 0.2679 respectively. Conclusion: Knowledge of blood group systems as documented in the present study helps in efficient management of blood bank and transfusion services in emergencies

Red cell incompatibility due to antibody against ingredient in column matrix: a rare entity

An essential goal in transfusion medicine is that transfused blood be compatible with the patient. Several problems arise while performing pre-transfusion compatibility testing. Rarely, in vitro reactions not due to blood group antibodies are sometimes encountered which can pose difficulty in routine immunohematology work up. Though these antibodies are clinically insignificant, proper work-up is indicated, before labelling such antibodies as clinically insignificant. In the report we describe a rare case wherein the patient had an antibody against the ingredients of the matrix of column agglutination

Haemolytic disease of the newborn due to multiple maternal antibodies

Haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn (HDFN) is a condition in which the lifespan of an infant’s red blood cells (RBCs) is shortened by the action of specific maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. Rhesus (Rh)- D haemolytic disease of the newborn is a prototype of maternal isoimmunization and foetal haemolytic disease. Although rare, the other blood group antigens capable of causing alloimunization and haemolytic disease are c, C, E, Kell and Duffy. We report a case of HDFN due to anti-D and anti-C in the maternal serum as a result of anamnestic response to Rh-D and C antigens. This report highlights the importance of antibody screening in antenatal women which could assist in diagnosing and successfully treating the foetus and newborn with appropriate antigen negative cross-matched compatible blood

Evaluation of candidate reference genes for quantitative expression studies in Asian seabass (<em>Lates calcarifer</em>) during ontogenesis and in tissues of healthy and infected fishes

597-605Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), used to determine the gene expression profile, is an important tool in functional genomic research, including fishes. To obtain more robust and meaningful result, the best possible normalization of the data is of utmost significance. In the present study, we have evaluated the potential of five commonly used housekeeping genes i.e., elongation factor 1-α (EF1A), β-Actin (ACTB), 18S ribosomal RNA (18S), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and β-2-Microglobulin (B2M) in normal physiological conditions, developmental stages and in response to bacterial infection in Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer (Bloch), an important food fish cultured in the Asia-Pacific region. The expression levels of these  five genes were estimated in 11 tissues of normal seabass juveniles, 14 embryonic and larval developmental stages and six tissues of Vibrio alginolyticus-challenged animals. Further, the expression stability of these genes was calculated based on three algorithms i.e. geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper. The results showed that although there are tissue-specific variations for each gene, ACTB and EF1A are the most stable genes across the tissues of normal animals. However, in bacteria-challenged animals, EF1A and 18S were found to be the best reference genes for data normalization. The expression of all the genes tested showed an increasing trend in developmental stages and the increase was significant at blastula stage. Among the five genes tested, EF1A and ACTB were found to be the genes with least variation and highest stability across the developmental stages. This forms the first report on validation of housekeeping genes in L. calcarifer, in the context of ontogenic development and in response to infection