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Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is characterized by an increased destruction of red blood cells due to immune dysfunction and auto‐antibody production. Clinical manifestations are mainly related to anaemia, which can become life‐threatening in case of acute haemolysis. Aiming at counterbalancing severe anaemia, supportive treatments for these patients frequently include transfusions. Unfortunately, free serum auto‐antibodies greatly interfere in pre‐transfusion testing, and the identification of compatible red blood cell units for AIHA patients can be challenging or even impossible. Problems faced in pre‐transfusion testing often lead to delay or abandonment of transfusions for AIHA patients. In this review, we discuss publications concerning global transfusion management in AIHA, with a focus on pre‐transfusion testing, and practical clues to manage the selection of transfusion units for these patients. Depending on the degree of transfusion emergency, we propose an algorithm for the selection and laboratory testing of units to be transfused to AIHA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the performance and ease of use of the Revogene® GBS DS PCR assay for the intrapartum detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization, as compared with intrapartum culture and antenatal culture-based screening. Methods: Between April and August 2019, 398 women who gave birth in one of the three maternities participating in this study agreed to the collection of a vaginal swab when they arrived in the labor ward. The samples were immediately sent to the adjacent laboratory where they were discharged into the buffer provided with the Revogene® GBS DS assay. Part of the buffer was used to perform the Revogene® GBS DS test, and part of the same buffer was used for GBS culture. Results: The Revogene® GBS DS assay provided a valid result in less than 70 min for 356 (89%) women. The sensitivity of the test was 85.7% (66.4–95.3%). The specificity of the test was 99.1% (97.3–99.8%). The positive predictive value was 88.9% (69.7–97.1%). The negative predictive value was 98.9% (96.9–99.6%). Conclusion: The easy-to-use Revogene® GBS DS assay provides a valuable tool for the detection of GBS colonization at the beginning of labor. The sensitivity and turn-around time are adequate. The high number of invalid results needs to be addressed before the Revogene® GBS DS test can be expected to replace the current screening-based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite modern antimicrobial treatments, bacterial and fungal infections remain major complications in neutropenic patients. Granulocyte transfusions appeared in the 1950s-60s but first clinical trials were limited by the difficulty of transfusing enough viable granulocytes. The refinement of apheresis techniques as well as donor pretreatment with corticosteroids and/or granulocyte colony-stimulating growth factor (G-CSF) have led to improved collection yield. Despite this, uncertainties remain regarding the real clinical usefulness of granulocyte transfusions. Few studies have been carried out since the G-CSF era and the quality of scientific evidence remains low, mainly because of small case series. The largest prospective randomized controlled study published so far failed to demonstrate any benefit of therapeutic granulocyte transfusions on mortality or infection control. However, the quality of this trial is limited due to its low statistical power (insufficient patient recruitment). Moreover, granulocyte transfusions are complex procedures, burdensome for the donor, expensive and associated with a significant risk of adverse effects. Therefore, the current place of granulocyte transfusion in clinical practice is guided by the experience of each center. With the increasing emergence of multi-resistant germs, it is likely that granulocyte transfusion will become interesting in the coming years. Standardization of collection and administration procedures and the final proof of their (in)effectiveness will remain the challenges for the future.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the performance and ease of use of the Revogene ® GBS DS PCR assay for the intrapartum detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization, as compared with intrapartum culture and antenatal culture-based screening., Methods: Between April and August 2019, 398 women who gave birth in one of the three maternities participating in this study agreed to the collection of a vaginal swab when they arrived in the labor ward. The samples were immediately sent to the adjacent laboratory where they were discharged into the buffer provided with the Revogene ® GBS DS assay. Part of the buffer was used to perform the Revogene ® GBS DS test, and part of the same buffer was used for GBS culture., Results: The Revogene ® GBS DS assay provided a valid result in less than 70 min for 356 (89%) women. The sensitivity of the test was 85.7% (66.4-95.3%). The specificity of the test was 99.1% (97.3-99.8%). The positive predictive value was 88.9% (69.7-97.1%). The negative predictive value was 98.9% (96.9-99.6%)., Conclusion: The easy-to-use Revogene ® GBS DS assay provides a valuable tool for the detection of GBS colonization at the beginning of labor. The sensitivity and turn-around time are adequate. The high number of invalid results needs to be addressed before the Revogene ® GBS DS test can be expected to replace the current screening-based approach., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)