Search

Résumé Introduction Le don de sang au Maroc et plus particulièrement dans la région Nord-Ouest se fait sans réalisation préalable de l’hémoglobine pré-don. Par ailleurs, nous notons l’absence de travaux scientifiques qui rapportent des données sur les lignées érythrocytaires, leucocytaires et plaquettaires chez les donneurs de sang (DDS) au niveau régional, voire national. Objectifs Étudier le profil de l’hémogramme chez des DDS prélevés dans la région Nord-Ouest du Maroc afin de fournir aux décideurs du Centre national de transfusion sanguine et d’hématologie des arguments scientifiques valides permettant de compléter, par l’hémogramme, les critères d’aptitude au don de sang total. Méthodologie Étude prospective, réalisée chez 15797 DDS volontaires âgés de 18 à 60 ans, prélevés lors des collectes mobiles ou fixes effectuées par les centres régionaux de transfusion sanguine de Tanger et de Tétouan de novembre 2014 à mai 2016. L’hémogramme a été réalisé à l’aide d’un automate Sysmex KX21N ® et l’analyse des données a été faite par le logiciel SPSS. Résultats Selon l’OMS, l’anémie correspond à un taux d’hémoglobine (HB) inférieur à 12 g/dL chez la femme et 13 g/dL chez l’homme. En adoptant ces références, nous avons remarqué que 14,5 % des femmes ( n = 1054) et 3,0 % des hommes ( n = 245) étaient anémiques, et l’anémie a été hypochrome microcytaire chez 58,66 % de ces DDS. L’analyse de la lignée blanche a montré l’existence d’une leucopénie chez 2,05 % des DDS et de 807 cas d’hyperleucocytose (soit 5,27 % des DDS). L’étude de la lignée plaquettaire a montré l’existence d’une thrombopénie chez 3,97 % des DDS et une thrombocytose chez 151 des DDS (soit 0,99 % des cas). Conclusion Cette étude révèle l’intérêt de la mesure systématique de l’HB pré-don et la réalisation périodique de l’hémogramme chez les DDS de la région nord-ouest du Maroc. Background Blood donation in Morocco and more particularly in the northwest region is carried out without prior determination of the pre-donation hemoglobin. In addition, we note the lack of scientific research that reports data on the red blood cells, leukocytes and platelet lines in donated blood at the regional or even national level. Aims To study hemogram profile in blood donors taken from the Northwest region of Morocco in order to provide decision makers of the National Center of Blood Transfusion and Hematology with valid scientific arguments to complete the criteria to donate whole blood, by the hemogram. Methods Prospective study, conducted in 15797 volunteer blood donors (BD) aged between 18 and 60 years, collected during mobile or fixed collections carried out by the Regional Blood Transfusion Center of Tangier and Tetouan from November 2014 to May 2016. The hemogram was performed using a Sysmex KX21N ® and the analysis of the data was done by the software SPSS 20.0. Results According to the World Health Organization, anemia corresponds to a hemoglobin level less than 12 g/dL in women and less than 13 g/dL in men. We found that 14.5 % of women ( n = 1054) and 3.0 % of men ( n = 245) were anemic and anemia was hypochromic microcytic in 58,66 % of these BD. Analysis of the white line showed leucopenia in 2.05 % of BD and 807 cases of leukocytosis (5.27 % of BD). Platelet study showed thrombocytopenia in 3.97 % of BD and thrombocytosis in 151BD (0.99 % of cases). Conclusion This study shows the interest of systematic pre-donation hemoglobin measurement and periodic realization of the hemogram among BD in the Northwest region of Morocco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: blood transfusion remains an essential therapeutic intervention, but the occurrence of transfusion reactions makes its administration even more complex. Vigilant reporting of such reactions by recipients of blood products is essential for effective haemovigilance. This study aimed to determine the frequency and nature of transfusion reactions., Methods: conducted over five years (2017-2021) at the Haemovigilance Department of the Rabat Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, this retrospective study exploited incident forms notified by health establishments and data from the regional blood transfusion centre's computer system., Results: from 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021, the Rabat Regional Blood Transfusion Centre distributed 435,651 labile blood products to various healthcare establishments, which reported 191 transfusion reactions involving 191 patients. The median age of the patients was 44.3 years, with an overall cumulative incidence of transfusion reactions of 0.44 per 1000 labile blood products delivered. The predominant reactions were non-haemolytic febrile and allergic reactions, accounting for 41.36% and 35.60% respectively. Grade 1 reactions accounted for 87% of all reactions recorded. During the study period, three deaths were recorded, with ABO incompatibility and transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) accounting for two and one case respectively. Transfusion reactions involving erythrocyte components were significantly more frequent than those involving platelet and plasma components., Conclusion: this study revealed a relatively low incidence of transfusion reactions (0.44%), dominated by non-haemolytic febrile and allergic reactions. Several levels of failure were identified, in particular under-reporting of reactions and inadequate training in transfusion practices and haemovigilance, as well as the need for an effective electronic transfusion reaction reporting system to facilitate reporting and identification of underlying problems and risk factors to improve the quality of transfusion care provided to patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Ilham Lemssahli et al.)

To determine the existence of guidelines regarding the appropriate clinical use of blood and blood components, transfusion requests, and blood issuing/reception documents and procedures. The different bedside transfusion organizations/processes and hemovigilance are also analyzed. The ultimate objective is to identify safe potential options in order to improve blood safety at the lowest cost. Data emanating from eight Arabic eastern/southern Mediterranean countries who responded to five surveys were collected and tabulated. National recommendations for the clinical use of blood components especially for hemoglobinopathies are lacking in some countries. In matter of good practices in the prescription, issuing and reception of BCs, efforts were made either on national or local basis. Procedures regarding patient information and ethical issues are still lacking. Almost all Mediterranean countries apply two blood testing procedures on each patient sample. Only Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria perform bed side blood group testing; Egypt and Lebanon perform antibody screen and antiglobulin cross matching universally. Automation for blood testing is insufficiently implemented in almost all countries and electronic release is almost absent. National hemovigilance policy is implemented in Tunisia, Morocco, and Lebanon but the reporting system remains inoperative. Insufficient resources severely hinders the implementation of expensive procedures and programs; however, the present work identifies safe procedures that might save resources to improve other parts in the transfusion process (e.g. electronic release to improve safety in issuing). Moreover, setting up regulations regarding ethics in transfusing recipients along with local transfusion committees are crucially needed to implement hemovigilance in transfusion practice., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None declared., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus was identified in people living in the city of Wuhan in China. Since the appearance of the first cases in Wuhan, the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic has spread to the international scale. The COVID-19 pandemic is considered by international scientific societies to have an impact on blood donation and transfusion activities. Efforts must be made at the level of the transfusion centres to ensure proper management of the impact of this health crisis on the availability and the safety of blood products. The National Blood Centre of Morocco (MNBC) has demonstrated a great reactivity and a great adaptability since the beginning of the epidemic and has implemented several measures to face this health crisis. These measures have been updated taking into account the updating of data from national health authorities and international scientific societies concerning this new virus., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Sabah Bouhou et al.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate bacterial reduction procedures used during whole-blood donations in Morocco., Background: Bacterial contamination still poses serious challenges to blood safety, especially in countries with limited resources., Methods: In the first part of this study, we analysed 233 swab samples taken from blood donors' antecubital fossa. After donation, a second batch of samples was analysed from the diversion pouches of corresponding donors. In addition, we searched for the prevalence of bacterial contamination in 568 randomly chosen platelet components at their expiration date in order to control for the entire blood unit preparation process., Results: The most frequently found bacterial species at the antecubital fossa of healthy blood donors were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, aerophilic Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp. and Micrococcus sp. After donation, 5.15% of the diversion pouches were contaminated with bacterial species, the most notable being Bacillus sp., aerophilic Corynebacterium, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Of 568 platelet components, 18 were contaminated with three bacterial species: Bacillus sp., coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and Staphylococcus aureus., Conclusion: All three bacterial species found in platelet components were detected on the skin of blood donors. Serious measures need to be taken and enforced to ensure blood safety., (© 2020 British Blood Transfusion Society.)

Background and Objectives: Blood transfusion is inherently associated with risks, and little is known regarding the available quality and safety measures in developing countries. No studies or census has been carried out, and therefore, no data on this compelling issue are available., Materials and Methods: Data emanating from eight Arabic eastern/southern Mediterranean countries who responded to five surveys were collected and tabulated., Results: Asepsis during phlebotomy, screening for serological and immuno-haematological parameters and appropriate storage conditions are maintained across all countries. Variations in blood component processing exist. Universal leucoreduction is systematically applied in Lebanon. Nucleic acid testing is only performed in Egypt. Aphaeresis procedure, leucoreduction and quality control for blood components are virtually inexistent in Mauritania. Written donor questionnaire is absent in Algeria and Tunisia. Most donor deferral periods for infectious agents are inconsistent with international standards., Conclusion: Gaps in the processing and in the quality/safety measures applied to the manufacture of blood components are quite evident in most eastern/southern Mediterranean countries. The decision of establishing an effective collaboration network and an independent body - aside from WHO - composed of specialists that oversees all transfusion activities in these countries is certainly a crucial step towards ensuring an optimum level of blood safety., (© 2020 International Society of Blood Transfusion.)

Objectives: To outline and analyse the national organisation, infrastructure and management of transfusion systems in countries sharing common historical, cultural and economic features and to decipher management trends, in order to potentially benchmark., Background: Little is known regarding transfusion systems in Eastern/southern Mediterranean at a time international organisations are calling for the establishment of a safe and sustainable blood system., Materials and Methods: Data emanating from eight Arabic-speaking Eastern/Southern Mediterranean countries who responded to five surveys were collected and tabulated., Results: While similarities in terms of supervision by national authorities, authorization of blood centres, quality control and management information system are evident, some significant divergence between these countries do exists. Only Lebanon does not possess a national blood establishment or organisation for blood supply. Blood components are fully government-subsidised in Algeria and Mauritania. Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia have a blood supply that relies mainly on Voluntary non-remunerated donors. Plateletpheresis is performed in all countries except Mauritania while plasmapheresis exists only in Algeria and Egypt. Morocco is the sole country outsourcing its plasma for Plasma derived products., Conclusion: Despite the various challenges facing these countries, lot of progresses have been made so far in the field of transfusion medicine. Yet, nationally coordinated blood programs overviewed by national regulatory authorities and actively supported by local governments are still needed to ensure the optimum level of blood safety., (© 2020 British Blood Transfusion Society.)

Background: To date, more than 650 (weak and partial) Rh variants have been reported. Nature and frequency of these variants are known to be ethnodependent. In transfusion medicine, their identification is important to ensure blood safety. The aim of this study is to investigate and describe the nature and estimate the frequency of Rh variants in blood donors in Morocco by serological tests and molecular analysis., Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 4,458 blood donors were collected and typed for Rh antigens (D, C, c, E and e) by an automated system with monoclonal antibodies. RhD-negative samples were tested for weak D expression by indirect antiglobulin test (IAT), as well as weak C, c, E, and e expression with monoclonal antibodies, by column agglutination technique. All samples exhibiting a weak D agglutination by the automated system and IAT were tested for partial D. RHD and RHCE genes were analysed by quantitative multiplex PCR of short fluorescent fragments (QMPSF) and/or Sanger sequencing., Results: 4,038 (90.58%) and 420 (9.42%) samples were respectively typed serologically as D-positive and D-negative, including 23 (0.52%) presenting with a weak D phenotype. In 21 weak D samples investigated by molecular analysis, RHD*weak D type 4.0 was found to be the most prevalent variant allele (n=11), and a novel RHD(V270A) missense allele was found once. Variant Rh CcEe antigen expression was observed in 17 samples carrying 20 variant RHCE alleles, including a novel RHCE*ce(499G) missense allele (p.M167V)., Discussion: For the first time, molecular genetics of the Rh system was investigated in the Moroccan population. On the basis of our data and in order to optimise donor/recipient matching to prevent from a potential risk of alloimmunisation in recipients, we suggest that 1) quality control of serological reagents and screening strategies must be reviewed in Morocco, and 2) molecular analysis should be implemented and performed in blood donor centers.