From Central Office
Vox Sanguinis highlights
Fresh from the press
Caroline Gesu Ngunyi, Michel Noubom, Jude Eteneneng Enoh, Patrick Njukeng, Claude T. Tagny, Nkenganyi Gesu, Ebaiayuknso Etambe, Nsah Bongdze-em Lilian, Apouamoun Mouppe Amadou, Leonard Fonkeng Sama, Emmanuel Asongalem
Article Highlights:
- The prevalence of adverse donor reactions (ADRs) during the blood donation process is 13.9%, with re-punctured haematoma being the most frequent ADR. This highlights the need for refresher courses to help improve blood collection techniques.
- Prolonged bleed duration is a predisposing factor for ADRs.
- Female and older donors people are more prone to ADRs than their counterparts.
First published: 14 April 2025
Kirstine Kløve-Mogensen, Thure Mors Haunstrup, Anne-Louise Fjordside Bilde, Rudi Steffensen
Article Highlights:
- Long-read nanopore sequencing is a reliable tool for CD177 genotyping.
- All incidences of CD177 null cases were associated with the known variant c.787A>T.
- The c.1291G>A variant was linked to atypical expression of CD177.
First published: 25 March 2025
Parintorn Nakdee, Thanatphak Warindpong, Sutasinee Virat, Parichart Permpikul, Janejira Kittivorapart
Article Highlights:
- Iron depletion is observed in 13% of regular platelet apheresis donors and is primarily linked to the frequency of donations.
- Reticulocyte haemoglobin has a sensitivity of 76.92% (95% confidence interval [CI] 46.19% to 94.96%) and a specificity of 44.83% (95% CI 34.15% to 55.87%) in detecting iron depletion. The low sensitivity and specificity observed may be partly attributed to the high prevalence of thalassemia in the Thai population.
- Policies on monitoring iron status, supplementing iron, or adjusting donation frequency should be considered to safeguard regular apheresis donors from iron depletion.
First published: 24 March 2025
Austrida Gondwe, Effie Chipeta, Mina C. Hosseinipour, Bridon Mbaya, Adamson S. Muula, Victor Mwapasa, Patani Mhango, Princess Kaira, Tiyamike Nthani, Sydney Puerto-Meredith, Natasha Nsamala, Emmanuel Singogo, For the Malawi BLOODSAFE Program
Article Highlights:
- In sub-Saharan Africa, friendly blood donor recruitment strategies should be encouraged to leverage people's altruism and the health benefits associated with donating blood.
- Myths about blood donation, fuelled by cultural and religious beliefs, remain a crucial barrier to recruiting more voluntary non-remunerated blood donors.
- Blood donation campaigns aimed at educating and raising awareness about blood donation should continue.
First published: 19 March 2025
