How do we…consistently provide high-dose granulocyte products for transfusions in neutropenic patients?

Background: The therapeutic use of granulocyte transfusions for the treatment of infections in immunocompromised patients has been a controversial practice. Randomized controlled trials suggest that benefit may be provided when a high-dose product, defined as providing a dose of at least 0.6 × 10 /kg, is offered.

Intradonor reproducibility and changes in hemolytic variables during red blood cell storage: results of recall phase of the REDS-III RBC-Omics study.

Background: Genetic determinants may underlie the susceptibility of red blood cells (RBCs) to hemolyze in vivo and during routine storage. This study characterized the reproducibility and dynamics of in vitro hemolysis variables from a subset of the 13,403 blood donors enrolled in the RBC-Omics study.

Study Design And Methods: RBC-Omics donors with either low or high hemolysis results on 4°C-stored leukoreduced (LR)-RBC samples from enrollment donations stored for 39 to 42 days were recalled 2 to 12 months later to donate LR-RBCs.

Blood, sweat, and tears: Red Blood Cell-Omics study objectives, design, and recruitment activities.

Background: The Red Blood Cell (RBC)-Omics study was initiated to build a large data set containing behavioral, genetic, and biochemical characteristics of blood donors with linkage to outcomes of the patients transfused with their donated RBCs.

Study Design And Methods: The cohort was recruited from four US blood centers. Demographic and donation data were obtained from center records.

Estimates of total body iron indicate 19 mg and 38 mg oral iron are equivalent for the mitigation of iron deficiency in individuals experiencing repeated phlebotomy.

Iron deficiency anemia is a common clinical condition often treated with tablets containing 65 mg of elemental iron. Such doses can elicit gastrointestinal side effects lowering patient compliance. Oral iron supplements also increase hepcidin production causing decreased fractional absorption of subsequent doses.

Qualitative assessment of pica experienced by frequent blood donors.

Background: Pica, the compulsive consumption of ice or other nonnutritious substances, is associated with iron deficiency, a common negative consequence of frequent blood donation. Because of this, blood donors, such as those participating in the Strategies to Reduce Iron Deficiency (STRIDE) study, are an ideal population to explore pica and iron deficiency.

Study Design And Methods: STRIDE was a 2-year intervention trial to assess the effectiveness of iron supplementation for mitigating iron deficiency in frequent blood donors.

A randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial of education and iron supplementation for mitigation of iron deficiency in regular blood donors.

Background: The historical approach of offering dietary advice to donors with low hemoglobin (Hb) is ineffective for preventing iron deficiency in frequent donors. Alternative approaches to maintaining donor iron status were explored.

Study Design And Methods: Frequent blood donors were randomly assigned into five arms for 2 years of follow-up.

Donation frequency of blood donors participating in a prospective cohort study of iron status.

Background: Blood centers are interested in understanding determinants of frequent blood donation. We hypothesized that participation in uncompensated research could result in higher donation rates.

Study Design And Methods: Donation rates for 2425 subjects from six US blood centers enrolled in the Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study-II Donor Iron Status Evaluation Study were compared to those of nonenrolled donors (n = 202,383).