German Red Cross

About: German Red Cross is a healthcare organization based out in Berlin, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Transplantation & Mesenchymal stem cell. The organization has 653 authors who have published 1146 publications receiving 40111 citations. The organization is also known as: Deutsches Rotes Kreuz & DRK.

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria treatment with eculizumab is associated with a positive direct antiglobulin test.

Abstract: Background/Objectives Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by intravascular haemolysis with a negative direct antiglobulin test (DAT). Eculizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits complement component C5 and is approved for PNH treatment. Recent publications demonstrated that some patients with PNH develop a positive DAT during eculizumab treatment. These published clinical trials investigated a highly selected patient population. Therefore, it seems important to study this topic in a general PNH patient population with a longer follow-up. Materials and Methods We analysed haemolytic activity, RBC transfusion requirement, effect on DAT and ferritin levels in 41 patients with PNH before and during eculizumab therapy with a median follow-up of 24 months (range 1–63 months). Results During eculizumab therapy, median LDH decreased (1657–258 U/l; P < 0·0001), while median haemoglobin increased (9·2–10·3 g/dl). Eighteen of 32 pts (56%) who previously required regular transfusions became transfusion independent. DAT was positive for C3d in 72·4% of 21 eculizumab-treated pts with available DAT. Ferritin levels increased (69–348 ng/ml, P < 0·0001). This increase was more pronounced in pts with ongoing transfusion dependency during eculizumab therapy. Conclusion Eculizumab therapy for PNH should be added to the list of possible causes for a positive DAT. Intravascular haemolysis was inhibited by eculizumab, but signs of extravascular haemolysis should be monitored. Because renal iron loss was stopped, eculizumab-treated pts can be prone to iron overload and therefore ferritin concentrations should be monitored closely.

Interruption of agitation of platelet concentrates: effects on in vitro parameters.

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES When platelet concentrates (PCs) are shipped from one centre to another, they may remain unagitated for a considerable period of time. It was therefore our aim to study the effects of interruption of agitation on the in vitro parameters of PCs stored in platelet additive solutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this multicentre study, PCs were prepared either by apheresis or from pooled buffy coats, paired to minimize donor-dependent differences, and aliquoted into 3 units with a 'low concentration' (approximately 1 x 10(9) platelets/ml; groups A, B and C) and 3 units with a 'high concentration' (approximately 2 x 10(9) platelets/ml; groups D, E and F). The final composition of the storage medium was 30% plasma and 70% additive solution in all PCs. Either PASIIIM or Composol was used as the additive solution. Agitation was interrupted for 2 days (between days 3 and 5, groups A and D), or for 4 days (between days 1 and 5, groups B and E), and continuous agitation served as the reference (groups C and F). A number of in vitro parameters were used for testing on days 1, 5 and 7. RESULTS On day 7, reference units C and F in PASIIIM had significantly higher pH values than the study units in PASIIIM, but all retained a pH of > 6.5 at 37 degrees C. Hypotonic shock response (HSR) results were significantly lower in the high concentration/4-day interruption group (E) than in the other groups. The low-concentration groups in PASIIIM, with agitation interrupted for either 2 days (group A) or 4 days (group B), did not have HSR values significantly different from the respective references. Study groups A, B, D and E in Composol, a solution lacking phosphate, had a pH of approximately 6.5 on day 7, which was significantly lower than that of the references and of the corresponding units in PASIIIM. The pH values were > 7.0 in reference groups C and F in Composol, not significantly different from those in PASIIIM. HSR values were also significantly lower in the Composol study groups. On the other hand, the reference Composol groups showed results similar to units in PASIIIM. CONCLUSIONS PCs in PASIIIM additive solution with a platelet concentration of approximately 1 x 10(9)/ml can sustain 4 days without agitation. Phosphate may be of importance in maintaining good in vitro characteristics during interruption of agitation.

An alternative method of large scale plasma fractionation for the isolation of serum albumin.

Abstract: Human plasma may be separated into five fractions using the method described byCobn in 1946. Although there are several drawbacks to alcohol precipitation, especially in albumin isolation, it is still used throughout the world. This paper describes an alternative procedure for albumin isolation from plasma or albumin-containing plasma fractions using a combined heat fractionation/polyethylene glycol precipitation method. No polyethylene glycol is detected in the final product which is immunoelectrophoretically 100% pure, salt poor, heat resistant during pasteurization, and stable during long-term room temperature storage. The yield is at least 90% of the original plasma albumin. In comparison with the Cohn method, fractionation time and expense are significantly reduced.