فصلنامه خون
سال هفتم شماره 4 (پیاپی 29، زمستان 1389)

Background and Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of brucellosis and the titer of anti-brucella antibody by the Wright and ELISA methods in blood donors in Yazd province; sensitivity and specificity rates of these two methods were also compared. Materials and Methods This descriptive/analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 300 healthy donors admitted to Yazd Blood Transfusion Center. All of them were interviewed, examined, and tested by routine serologic diagnostic tests of brucellosis, including rapid Wright, standard tube Wright test, 2-ME (2-mercapto ethanol), and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results Nineteen (6.3%) out of 300 participants had a tube Wright titer of 1:80 (5.7% of men and 14.3% of women). By ELISA method, 17 persons (5.7%) had positive IgG anti-Brucella antibody. The 2-ME test was positive in only 2 cases (0.6%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values of ELISA compared to Wright test were 5.3%, 94.7%, 6.3%, and 93.7%, respectively. Conclusions If a titer of 1:80 is defined to be the criterion of contamination with brucella, it should not be considered negligible in blood donors of Yazd.

Background and Objectives HIV spreads rapidly both within and across borders. The majority of new cases emerges among young adults who are also main victims. Iran is a young country and it is necessary to determine knowledge and attitude of students as a symbol of young population to understand their ability in campaign with AIDS and plan appropriate educational programs. Materials and Methods A cross sectional study was conducted amongst 951 students of Zahedan Islamic Azad University from 2007 to 2008. The information was acquired by a four-part questionnaire. The obtained data were finally analyzed with Chi-square and t-test by using SPSS16. Results Our results showed that the knowledge level of 50.2% of university students about HIV/AIDS was evaluated as good, 44% intermediate, and 5.8% poor. Out of the respondents, 17.1% had positive attitude and 25.9% negative attitude toward HIV/AIDS, and 56.9% neither negative nor positive. Out of the students, 12.1% had misconceptions about transmission of HIV/AIDS. Mosquito bites (31.9%), public swimming pools (11%), public toilets (3.5%), sneezing and coughing (11.9%), kissing (9.2%), and shaking hands (3.4%) were incorrectly identified as routes of transmission. Conclusions Although the knowledge level of students seemed to be moderately high, misconception about the routes of transmission was common. The misconceptions and unfavorable attitudes should be then corrected.

Beta-thalassemia is one of the most common single-mutation diseases. These mutations cause decreased beta-globin protein synthesis or even deletion. Most of the mutations in beta-globin gene are point mutations but there are some small and big deletions in beta-globin gene cluster. The goal of this research is to detect and study two deletions (Lepore, Asian-Indian) with duplex-PCR. Materials and Methods This study was done on 3 Asian-Indian deletion samples and 10 Lepore samples. After detecting two deletions (Lepore and Asian-Indian), we started setting Gap-PCR in these two known deletions. Duplex-PCR with 8 different primers for detecting Lepore and Asian-Indian deletions simultaneously was set at 68ºC annealing temperature; these two deletions can be detected easily in one reaction with this new method. Results The results show that detecting Lepore and Asian-Indian deletions with multiplex PCR is practical, and the specific bands for each deletion are detectable. Conclusions Detecting these two deletions in one reaction (Duplex-PCR) is practical. This method is easy, reliable, and fast; it is also economical and saves both time and money.

Although almost all blood donors experience none or minimal complications during blood donation, sometimes adverse reactions may occur. Vasovagal shock is one of the well-known post donation experiences. The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing this complication during blood donation. Materials and Methods This is a sectional study on blood donors in Isfahan Blood Transfusion Center through 2006. Patients were examined and consulted for any contraindications before donation attempt. Age, sex, BMI, and previous history of blood donation were compared between the two groups of “normal donors” and “those with vasovagal reactions”. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results Out of all blood donors, 5180 (98%) had no complications while 105 (2%) experienced vasovagal reactions (p<0.001); 8.6% of women and 1.8% of men suffered from the faint episode (p<0.05). This reaction was more frequently observed among first time donors (5.6%) compared with the others. Conclusions Vasovagal reaction is more common in donors with low body weight, younger donors, females, and first time donors. Body mass index and sleep factor did not have any tangible effect on vasovagal reaction. Pallor and perspiration are common while unconsciousness and seizure are rare. Careful selection and evaluation of blood donors by experienced physicians or trained nurses play an important role in prevention of adverse reactions.

Iron overload especially in heart is one of the most important causes of death among patients with major thalassemia. Chelation therapy is one of the main therapeutic methods in these patients. This study was done to compare the therapeutic effects of deferoxamine (DFO) and deferiprone combination therapy with deferoxamine alone in the patients of Mazandaran, Iran. Materials and Methods In this clinical trial, major thalassemia patients with serum ferritin >3000 ng/ml were divided into two groups and matched based on age, sex, serum ferritin levels and cardiac systolic function (LVEF). First group received DFO alone and second group received combination therapy of deferiprone and deferoxamine. The patients were physically examined every month; serum ferritin, mean Hb, AST, ALT, and LVEF also started to be measured 6 months prior to the study and subsequently at every visit. Data were analyzed using t-test and χ² test. Results There were fifty patients in each group in single and combination therapy groups. Duration of F/U was 28.5 ± 6.2 months. Serum ferritin levels in single and combination therapy groups were 4100 ± 1400 and 4500 ± 1700 ng/ml during 6 months before the study, respectively; the levels decreased to 4600 ± 2200 and 3800 ± 1400 ng/ml at the end of treatment, respectively (p<0.05). Only 3 patients had leukopenia and 10 had nausea in combination therapy group. Conclusions The study showed that the combination therapy has a better effect on decreasing the serum level ferritin. Moreover, it can improve LVEF.

Incorrect storage of blood and blood components within inappropriate temperature range not only nullifies the treatment effect but also brings about adverse effects. For cold chain system to be implemented, hospital blood banks should be well equipped, well trained staff should be involved, and standard operating procedures should be in place. Materials and Methods In this descriptive study, 50 hospital with permanent blood bank supervisors were selected to participate in the study in Mazandaran and Gilan Province. All cold chain equipment in hospital blood banks were directly observed; all observations were then made on the formulated questionnaires. The data were analyzed with Pearson and Spearman’s rank test by SPSS 16. Results Out of the 50 hospital blood banks under study, 17 (34%) lacked standard criteria. This in part could be attributed to the lack of blood bank special freezers although they were all equipped with special refrigerators. The variables of age, gender, work experience, and education degree of the staff had no significant correlation with blood bank criteria. The cold chain process is necessary to be followed for blood safety to be ensured. Although equipment deficiency is a main factor for blood banks not to be standard, regular personnel training and continuous supervision would be helpful for this trend to be enhanced.

Careful donor selection is necessary for blood safety to raise given the window period of serologic tests. Recognizing differences in infectivity of various groups helps recruitment and retention of best blood donors. Materials and Methods In a cross-sectional study, records of all volunteers from 2006 to 2009 in South Khorasan were reviewed. Confirmed cases of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV 1/2, and HTLV I/II were analyzed by SPSS 17.0 using t-test and chi-square to estimate prevalence rates and show the differences; moreover, the findings were compared against national and regional data on infectious rates among general population. Results Out of 52886 voluntary blood donors and 42652 donations, the prevalence rates of confirmed hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HTLV infections were calculated to be 0.492%, 0.030%, and 0.042%, respectively. The prevalence trends revealed no differences between genders but infections were more prevalent in the first-time, married, and low educated donors. That was also more prevalent among donors referring to mobile blood drives. Conclusions The present study reveals that efforts for recruitment of educated volunteers and expansion of permanent blood donation centers can provide a safer situation for blood donation and achieve safer blood via doing careful consultations and performing appropriate screening tests.

Sport hematology is a new branch in the field of exercise physiology with a history of not more than 30 years in the world; in Iran, it is even shorter with just a brief literature available. Thus, the aim of this study is to make a brief and accurate review of the previous studies about “Complete Blood cells Count (CBC)” in sport. In this study, a brief review on 81 articles published either in Persian or English was done. The sources were either local (2 books and 16 articles) or foreign (10 Wikipedia texts and 38 articles) publications. Results The results show that an acute exercise causes an increase in red blood cells destruction and a transient sport anemia due to hemolysis generated by mechanical impact, oxidative stress, and hematuria. Moreover, an increase in leukocytic and thrombocytic indexes was observed after a single session of physical exercise; the increase is due to hormonal changes, elevated blood flow, and escape of cells from spleen, bone marrow, and lungs. Despite the above changes, adaptation to regular physical training may not be altered; however, any little alteration would be attributed to plasma volume changes which should be considered in interpretation. Conclusions Physical activity and exercise can seriously change CBC indexes; however, the impact of such changes can be highly reduced through appropriate recovery measures followed by getting back to regular training and the related adaptation schedule.

Background and Objectives General health of blood donors, prevalence rate of transfusion transmitted infections in blood donors, sensitivity of screening tests, and most importantly appropriate selection of blood donors through counselling and physical examination are important factors for blood safety to be ensured. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between demographic factors and deferral rate of potential blood donors. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 1047 voluntary blood donors in 2008 in which frequency distribution of age, gender, education, occupation, and social status were studied. The correlation between demographic factors and the results of medical counseling and screening tests was evaluated. Results Out of 1047 blood donors under study, 88.3% were found to be eligible in medical counseling and examination. There were significant differences between deferral rate of volunteers and gender (p<0.01), marital status (p<0.01), frequency rate of blood donation (p<0.001), and occupation status (p<0.01). Conclusions Appropriate medical counseling and examination is very important in blood donor selection. It is also necessary to be more careful in screening process of donors who have a single status and those who have private jobs.