3^rd European Congress on Hematology July 11-12, 2022 Zurich, Switzerland

Biography:

Sasidharan PK is a Former Professor & Head, Department of Medicine &Hematology, Government Medical College, and Kozhikode, India. He is Editorial Board Member Indian Journal of Hematology. He completed his PhD research Guide for University of Calicut.  Formerly he is Dean Faculty of Medicine, University of Calicut, Chairman PG Board of studies Kerala University of Health Sciences. President Association of Phsycians of India Kerala Chapter, Member Scientific Advisory committee- National Institute of immunohematology, Mumbai, PG Examiner for National Board, PGI Chandigarh, JIPMER, Bombay University, West Bengal University and other universities. He did his MBBS: 1976 – 1982-Best outgoing student and M.D in 1983-8 from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh                                                                    

Abstract:

SLE can present with hematological manifestations alone or along with musculoskeletal, skin or other system involvements. In those cases with hematological abnormalities as the predominant or only manifestation, the diagnosis is often delayed or missed at the time of presentation, this is especially so if the index of clinical suspicion is low or if there is improper and inadequate follow up. An observational study was conducted in our institution with the purpose of estimating the proportion of SLE with hematological manifestations as the initial presentation of the disease.  It was observed that 76.8% of the patients had hematological manifestations at first presentation. Thus, hematological manifestations were found to be the most common presenting manifestation of SLE in people of North Kerala which is not given due importance in the ACR criteria for diagnosing SLE. One of the common coexisting abnormalities in patients with initial hematological presentation was autoimmune hypothyroidism, which also is not included in the ACR criteria. The most common hematological abnormalities at presentation were ITP, autoimmune haemolysis and APLA. In addition, there was an inverse association of arthritis with hematological manifestations. Thus, it appears that SLE is more of a Hematological disorder rather than a Rheumatologic disorder. A significant number did not satisfy the ACR criteria at the time of diagnosis but did so only on variable periods of follow up. The ACR criteria are weak to diagnose such patients and therefore needed revision.  We have developed an alternative to ACR criteria as “Kozhikode Criteria for SLE” which was validated in another study and was published. The outcome of both these studies and on how to make diagnosis and management of SLE easy for the general physicians and hematologists will be presented in the talk. In addition, our observations regarding etiology of SLE will be discussed; We have observed that, like any other chronic disease, there are important abnormalities in diet and lifestyle of patients with SLE. 

Biography:

Prof. Sergry Donskov affiliated from Department of Industrial and Clinical Transfusiology, Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry name A.I. Evdokimov, Ministry of Health of Russia

Abstract:

Introduction. There is evidence of a relationship between acute respiratory viral infection Covid-19 (ARVI Covid-19) with gene complexes encoding the ABO and Lewis group antigens, as well as activators of antiviral restriction enzymes and interferon. According to the observations of Chinese authors, the risk of ARVI Covid-19 in the Chinese is significantly higher among people with blood group A. Similar data were obtained by researchers from England, France, Italy, USA, Iran, India and other countries of Europe, Asia and America. 
Purpose of the study. To establish a possible connection between ARVI Covid-19 and blood groups in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. 
Material and methods. We analyzed the distribution of blood groups among 11573 patients with ARVI Covid-19, 5117 donors of anticoid plasma (ACP) and 89737 healthy individuals, residents of Moscow, Smolensk, Yakutsk, Minsk and Gomel. SARS Covid-19 was diagnosed using PCR. The blood group was determined by conventional serological methods. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. 
Results. The frequency of blood groups among patients with ARVI Covid-19 in Moscow differed significantly from the normal distribution of blood groups in this region. Blood groups O and B were less common – 31.47 and 20.72%, compared with the control – 33.71 and 21.85% (p<0.001). Blood group A, on the contrary, was more common – 39.10% with a norm of 35.54% (p<0.001). Among ACP donors in Moscow, there was a decrease in the frequency of blood group O – 30.89%, compared with control – 33.71% (p<0.01). The ratio of blood groups in patients, ACP donors and healthy individuals in Smolensk, Yakutsk, Minsk and Gomel were not statistically significant, possibly due to small samples. At the same time, there was a tendency towards an increase in the frequency of groups A and AB and a decrease in the frequency of groups O and B among patients compared with controls.
Discussion. The data obtained suggest that people in Russia and Belarus with blood groups A and AB are less resistant to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus compared to people with O and B blood groups.
Conclusions. The relationship of group-specific polysaccharide A with the development of ARVI Covid-2 is obvious, statistically significant, which motivates the search for additional measures for the prevention of ARVI Covid-19 beyond the established ones and deserves an in-depth study.

Biography:

Lucia Stanciakova, MD, PhD. was awarded the degree Doctor of Medicine in 2013 and completed her postgraduate study in 2017. Now she works as a haematologist and assistant lecturer at the National Centre of Haemostasis and Thrombosis, Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Slovakia. Her research interest includes thrombophilic states and their genetics, haemostasis in vascular disorders and oncological diseases, high-risk pregnancy, monitoring of the effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet treatment.

Abstract:

Aetiopathogenesis of venous thromboembolism and arterial thrombosis is associated with inherited and/or acquired risk factors. However, in some patients, despite the co-existence of several prothrombotic risk factors, the thrombotic episode does not develop. On the contrary, in some of them, thromboembolic event  may be detected without known provoking factor. Therefore, the authors analyzed risk factors and circumstances of the onset of thromboembolic events in subjects followed-up at the National Centre of Haemostasis and Thrombosis in Slovak Republic. In this study, the impact of acquired risk factors on the development of arterial and venous thrombosis, as well as their influence on pregnancy complications was confirmed. In selected group of patients, the impact of the acquired thrombophilia  on the development of thrombotic complications was evaluated. The results of laboratory tests, such as increased protein S deficiency, antithrombin deficiency, activity of coagulation factor VIII may be used in the targeted management of the risky patients.  This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and informed consent of the patient included in the study was obtained.

Acknowledgement: Authors thank the support of the projects of the Scientific Grant Agency Vega 1/0549/19 and the Agency for the Support of Research and Development APVV-16-0020.

Biography:

Dr. Abinaya Seenivasan has done under graduation and post-graduation (Diploma in Child Health and DNB Paediatrics from India. She also holds MRCPCH since 2019. She is currently working as a senior clinical Fellow at Lister Hospital, UK. Dr. Fatima Kagalwala is currently working as Consultant Paediatrician, currently the paediatric haematology lead and also the Clinical Governance lead for paediatrics at Lister Hospital Stevenage UK. She also holds the honorary clinical Lecturer post for UCLH medical students.

Abstract:

Objectives: To analyze the incidence of Ceftriaxone Induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia (CIIHA) in pediatric population and its significance among various genotypes of Sickle cell Disease (SCD).
Methods: We performed a single-centered retrospective study for 5 years on ceftriaxone induced hemolysis in SCD population who were in our data base. Pre and post hemoglobin levels following intravenous Ceftriaxone was analyzed. The duration of antibiotics and its effect in different SCD genotypes were studied.
Results: We had 60 admissions among 26 patients and 58 admissions received more than 1 dose of ceftriaxone. The pre- and post-ceftriaxone hemoglobin levels were 85.5 and 83.7 mg/dl respectively. The hemoglobin values post ceftriaxone in HbSS and HbSC genotypes did not show any difference. Despite receiving 10 doses of ceftriaxone none of them showed acute clinical deterioration.
Discussion: Increasing case reports on CIIHA in children with SCD causes wariness of using the most preferred antibiotic.  As actual incidence of CIIHA remains unknown, we retrospectively analyzed the effect of ceftriaxone in children with SCD. Among 60 admissions none of them showed clinical deterioration and the pre and post ceftriaxone hemoglobin levels were similar. The number of doses did not have any effect on the hemoglobin levels. There were no appreciable differences in hemolysis between the HbSS and HbSC groups. 
Conclusion: Although the complication of CIIHA should be borne in mind, it should not be a limiting factor to offer ceftriaxone and would be premature to defer in the SCD population. Larger multi-centric trials are required to understand the actual incidence of CIIHA in paediatric population.

Biography:

Lucia Stanciakova, MD, PhD. was awarded the degree Doctor of Medicine in 2013 and completed her postgraduate study in 2017. Now she works as a haematologist and assistant lecturer at the National Centre of Haemostasis and Thrombosis, Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Slovakia. Her research interest includes thrombophilic states and their genetics, haemostasis in vascular disorders and oncological diseases, high-risk pregnancy, monitoring of the effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet treatment.

Abstract:

Antithrombin is a representative of the natural anticoagulants. It is an inhibitor of thrombin and activated forms of coagulation factors IX, X, XI, XII, kalikrein and plasmin. Deficiency of antithrombin represents 3-7-fold increased risk of the venous thromboembolism in the comparison with other thrombophilic states. This clinical finding may be inherited or acquired. Heritable antithrombin deficiency is a rare thrombophilia inherited in autosomal dominant manner.The authors aim to present a clinical case reports of patients with challenging management of repeated thrombotic complications and antithrombin deficiency. In the discussed patients, repeated thrombotic complications were developed. Additionally, the authors discuss etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment possibilities of this thrombophilic state. Antithrombin deficiency is a high-risk thrombophilia and a rare clinical state. Despite full anticoagulation, repeated thrombosis may occur and can have severe clinical consequences. Therefore, close monitoring of the affected patients is inevitable.This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and informed consent of the patient included in the study was obtained.

Acknowledgement: Authors thank the support of the projects of the Scientific Grant Agency Vega 1/0549/19 and the Agency for the Support of Research and Development APVV-16-0020

Biography:

KHALID KHALIL has completed his PHCC at the age of 24 years from Misr University for science and technology  and  completed his post borad in interna l medicine and fellowship in adult hematology  in saudi arabia , currently working as consultant in security Force hospital makkah  

Abstract:

Background: The COVID‑19 pandemic is spreading across the globe at an alarming rate. The number of COVID‑19 cases in Saudi Arabia is increasing daily. Saudi Arabia is a hot zone for outbreaks of infectious diseases like COVID‑19, especially the Makkah area. Hence, determining the clinical characteristics along with serological, hematological, and radiological abnormalities in COVID‑19 patients is important for epidemiological decision‑making, such as control and surveillance strategies.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study done in a single health‑care hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for 4‑month period. We include admitted COVID‑19 patients (confirmed with qualitative real‑time polymerase chain reaction test) of any gender with age >14 years. The complete data of COVID‑19 patients were extracted from electronic medical records. Data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages, where means and standard deviations (SDs) were extracted for continuous variables. Fisher’s exact test was applied to assess association with mortality.
Results: Total enrolled cases were 226. The mean age of the patients was 58 years with SD (±0.4458) and 95% confidence interval (2.688– 2.810). The common clinical presentations were fever (77.4%), cough (77%), shortness of breath (53.5%), and myalgia (37.2%). Lymphopenia was observed in 54.4%, anemia in 8.4%, leukopenia in 16.4%, and thrombocytopenia in 9.3% of the patients. The fatality rate was 8.4% (n = 19) over this 4‑month period.
Conclusion: Advanced age and comorbidity plays a pivotal role in disease mortality. Elderly people’s constant evaluation and management is of fundamental importance to decrease mortality.

Biography:

Rossana Soloperto has completed her study in Medicine from Perugia’s University (Italy), currently she is a full Emergency Physician working in ED and Subintensive COVID-19 Unit in San Pio Hospital in Benevento, she’s completing her Residency Program in Emergency Medicine at Federico II University Hospital in Neaples. She is Guest Editor of a Special Issue published in the international journal Diagnostics, and she’s attending a I level Master in Padua’s University in Biostatistics and Scientific Research Publication. She has several papers published in reputed international journals and is a member of the main Emergency Medicine and Intensive Medicine’s Societies.

Abstract:

Early detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the emergency department (ED) is a crucial necessity, especially in settings of overcrowding: establishing a pre-diagnostic test probability of infection would help to triage patients and reduce diagnostic errors, and it could be useful in resource[1]limited countries. Here, we established and validated a clinical predictor of infection based on routine admission hematological parameters. The diagnostic model was developed by comparing 85 consecutive patients with symptomatic COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR with 85 symptomatic, SARS-CoV-2-negative controls. Abnormal hematological parameters significantly (p < 0.05) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection were used to derive a “cumulative score” between 0 and 16. The model was validated in an independent cohort of 170 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Several routine hematology parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A “cumulative score” score ≥7 discriminated COVID-19-postive patients from controls with a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 100% (p < 0.001). The high sensitivity of the predictive model was confirmed in the prospective validation set, and the cumulative score (i) predicted SARS-CoV-2 positivity even when the first oro-nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR result was reported as a false negative in both cohorts and (ii) resulted to be independent from disease severity. The cumulative score based on routine blood parameters can be used to predict an early and accurate diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in symptomatic patients, thereby facilitating triage and optimizing early management and isolation from the COVID-19 free population, particularly useful in overcrowding situations and in resource-poor settings.

Biography:

Ramachandran Muthiah, Consultant Physician & Cardiologist, Zion hospital, Azhagiamandapam, Morning Star hospital, Marthandam, Kanyakumari District, India. Completed M.D. in General Medicine in 1996, D.M. in cardiology in 2003 under Tamil Nadu Dr.MGR Medical University, Chennai, India. Worked as medical officer in Rural health services for 5 years and in teaching category as Assistant Professor at Madras medical college, Coimbatore medical college, Thoothukudi medical college and Kanyakumari medical college. Case Reports in Clinical Medicine (SCIRP) and Journal of Saudi Heart Association. Special research on Rheumatic fever and Endomyocardial fibrosis in tropical belts, Myxomas, Infective endocarditis, apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Ebstein’s anomaly, Rheumatic Taussig-Bing Heart, Costello syndrome and Tetralogy of Fallot.

Abstract:

The corona virus is a single-stranded RNA virus and the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE-2), to which SARS-CoV-2 binds   for entry into cells,  found  in brain vascular  endothelium and smooth muscle and SARS-CoV-2 replicates in the cells. It causes oedema, cell necrosis, and broad  gliocyte hyperplasia. The elevated expression of the cytokine, monokine induced by gamma interferon (known as MIG or CXC L9), and with infiltration of monocytes and macrophages plus T cells  are consistent with viral CNS entry, triggering  the infiltration of immune cells and the release of cytokines and chemokines, which contribute to tissue damage. A vasculitis process similar to that for varicella zoster virus, in which viral replication in the cerebral arterial wall triggers local inflammation. SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome ) -CoV-2 can cause damage to endothelial cells, activating inflammatory and thrombotic pathways. Endothelial cell infection or monocyte activation, upregulation of tissue factors, and the release of microparticles, which activate the thrombotic pathway and cause microangiopathy. Endothelial infection by SARS-CoV-2 and stroke are consistent with a virus-associated microangiopathic  process. Monocyte activation is postulated to contribute secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis described in severe COVID-19. It is a rare hyperinflammatory condition characterized by a severe hypercytokinaemia with multiorgan failure. Thrombocytopenia with elevated D-dimer and C-reactive protein are the markers of severe COVID-19. Competitive  blockage of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2  by the SARS-CoV-2 virus down-regulates angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression leading to uncontrolled blood pressure and the enhanced possibility of cerebrovascular accidents. Spike surface glycoprotein plays a crucial role in immunopathology. A unique furin-like cleavage site, on the spike protein, plays a crucial role in viral cell entry. Transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) enzyme, is needed to activate the spike protein. A serine protease enzyme inhibitor blocks viral entry into the host cell. This phenomenon can be exploited for developing a treatment of COVID-19, in the future. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins lead to complete or partial recovery in the majority.  Immediate anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin has been recommended for patients with COVID-19  to reduce the risk of thrombotic disease

Biography:

Prof Tiziano Barbui, graduated in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Padua. He founded the Department of Haematology at the Ospedali Riuniti of Bergamo in 1981 where he was Chief Executive Officer from 1981 to 2008. He is Professor of Hematology at University of Milan-Bicocca and Scientific Director of Foundation of Clinical Research - FROM, Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy. He has had the honor of being President of the Italian Society of Hematology. He has directed many international research groups in Hematology and currently coordinates the scientific activities of a group of the European-Leukemia-Net WP9 on Myeloproliferative Disorders. He was one of the four founders of a scientific consortium funded by the American NIH on chronic myeloproliferative diseases. He has served as a chairman on the Subcommittee on Lupus Anticoagulant of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis

Abstract:

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) characterized by uncontrolled clonal proliferation of multipotent bone marrow progenitors, sustained by acquired genetic mutations in JAK2 genes (JAK2 V617F and exon 12 mutations). Expansion of the mutated clone triggers an inflammatory response leading to vascular complications and disease progression into myelofibrosis (MF) and acute leukemia (AL). For each single outcome (thrombosis, bleeding, evolution into MF or AL, symptoms and quality of life, pregnancy)  a specific review of the literature to grade the quality of direct and indirect evidence supporting a net benefit of cytoreductive therapy start, or change, in each subgroup was examined and recommendations  were assigned to subgroups of achieving a consensus >=85% or supported by a high-quality evidence for at least one outcome or a moderate evidence for a critical outcome. Weak recommendations will be labelled by a “to be considered” wording. For clinical question concerning the indication and choice of single drugs, all reviewed data will be  translated into Patient-Intervention-Comparator-Outcome questions (PICO) and clinical recommendations were produced by a GRADE process. In those question without a sufficient evidence, a consensus will be  required. During the presentation the results of the POINT-C project will be reported and specific recommendation will be discussed. The major problem of PV patients is represented by major arterial and venous thrombosis vascular complications whose rate is the highest at the time of diagnosis and shortly thereafter (ref x,xx). In the real world clinical practice of contemporary 1500 patients with PV, total major thrombosis rate was 2.62% patients per year, an estimate lower than that reported in the ECLAP trial (4.4% patients per year) but comparable to the rate seen in the recent Cyto-PV study (2.7% patients per year, venous and arterial thrombosis in 1.59% and 1.05% patients per year respectively.

Biography:

Austin Bigley is the V.P. Director of Research & Development at Indapta Therapeutics where he developed the donor screening and cellular expansion protocols for Indapta’s g-NK cell platform. Austin has been extensively published in the NK-cell space over the past 12 years and has worked with major players, such as Dr. Nina Shah and Dr. Katy Rezvani at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Austin’s primary research goal is to harness adaptive NK-cell responses for cancer immunotherapy against a variety of hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. In addition to his work in cancer immunotherapy, Austin was the first to demonstrate that NK-cell anti-tumor activity is elevated during exercise recovery and that NK-cell activity is impaired during spaceflight

Abstract:

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are a central component of therapy for hematologic malignancies. Widely used mAb agents in multiple myeloma (MM) include daratumumab and elotuzumab. However, not all patients respond to these agents and resistance is a significant clinical issue. A recently discovered subset of human NK-cells lacking expression of FceR1g (“g-NK cells”) was found to have a multi-fold increase in antibody-dependent effector functions after CD16 crosslinking. In this study, we tested the capacity of g-NK cells to enhance efficacy of therapeutic mAbs against MM. In vitro, we found that that g-NK cells have strikingly superior anti-myeloma cytotoxicity compared to conventional NK-cells (cNK) when combined with daratumumab or elotuzumab (~6-fold, p<0.001). In addition, g-NK cells naturally expressed minimal surface CD38 and SLAMF7, reducing incidence of therapeutic “fratricide”. In tumor-naïve murine models, g-NK persistence in blood, spleen, and bone marrow was markedly improved (>90%) relative to cNK cells over 31 days (p<0.001). In vivo efficacy studies showed the combination of daratumumab and g-NK cells led to a >99% tumor reduction (by flow cytometry analysis) as compared to the combination of daratumumab and cNK cells (p<0.001). Moreover, treatment with daratumumab and g-NK cells led to complete elimination of myeloma burden in 5 of 7 mice. Collectively, these results underscore the unique ability of g-NK cells to potentiate the activity of therapeutic mAbs and overcome limitations of current “off-the-shelf” NK-cell therapies, without the need for cellular irradiation or genetic engineering.

Biography:

Javad Garavand had completed his graduate study at Cell and Molecular Biology at Guilan University and after it, he has started Hematology at Jundishapur University. He is working on the role of Micro RNA genes in AML patients.

Abstract:

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease which its identification owes to the discovery of genetic and epigenetic disorders. Micro-RNAs (miRs) are small, non-coding RNAs that have recently come to the attention of researchers. miRs can affect the expression of hundreds of genes at the DNA and RNA levels. Increasing or decreasing the expression of genes involved in transcription, cell cycle, or apoptosis can lead to cancer. Information related to the impact and application of action of the most important miRs involved in AML was collected from various databases such as Pubmed. In this regard, the design and construction of artificial miRs interfering with genes associated with malignancies can be an effective treatment process with the least complications and the highest efficiency. The malignant cells in some AML subtypes produce new chimeric genes that their protein products are responsible for main part of the disease. Therefore, the use of miRs against these proteins can be a good alternative to chemotherapy drugs that also have a negative effect on normal cells. However, therapeutic use of miRs can be challenging. For example, since each miR can control the expression of several genes simultaneously, great attention must be paid to the specificity of miR for the target protein. On the other hand, transferring miRs to the target cells is another challenge.

Biography:

Lucia Stanciakova, MD, PhD. was awarded the degree Doctor of Medicine in 2013 and completed her postgraduate study in 2017. Now she works as a haematologist and assistant lecturer at the National Centre of Haemostasis and Thrombosis, Department of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Slovakia. Her research interest includes thrombophilic states and their genetics, haemostasis in vascular disorders and oncological diseases, high-risk pregnancy, monitoring of the effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet treatment.

Abstract:

The authors present the population of patients with venous thromboembolism, treated with anticoagulants according to the age, sex, family history and results of thrombophilic screening. Simultaneously, they compare the possibilites of detection of the effectiveness of anticoagulant treatment and assess the markers indicating the activation of haemostasis. The dose of anticoagulation  treatment was individually modified in the patients based on the results of the special tests of haemostasis, such as coagulation factor FVIII activity, protein S function, level of D-dimers, anti-Xa/anti-IIa activity according to the type of anticoagulant used in the particular patient and his/her clinical state. Anticoagulant treatment in observed patients was tolerated well, without any significant bleeding complications. The authors summed-up also the resence of other side events. This study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki and informed consent of the patient included in the study was obtained.

Acknowledgement: Authors thank the support of the projects of the Scientific Grant Agency Vega 1/0549/19 and the Agency for the Support of Research and Development APVV-16-0020.

Biography:

Briton Kavulavu is a final-year Bachelor of Science (Medical Laboratory Science) student at the Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya. Besides, he is also a fialist diploma studnet taking Project Planning and Management at the University of Nairobi. His other trainings include Leadership and Management in Health certificate from the University of Washington (USA), and Leadership Management and Government for Health Systems Strengthening certificate from AMREF-AHLMN. As a novice researcher, he has undertaken two major studies, of which this is one. The two are yet to be published.  

Abstract:

Background: There is a need for a well-organized system with sufficient equipment and trained staff to meet the blood demand in Western Kenya.

Objectives: This research aimed at studying the problem of blood deficiency in Kenyan blood transfusion centers by considering the ERBTC’s challenges regarding human resource, financing, equipment, and reagent deficits; demand and supply mismatches; and blood wastages and discards.

Methodology: We used a cross-sectional descriptive design in which they administered questionanires to all ERBTC staff to gather information on the challenges of staffing, financing, equipment, and reagent deficits. Researchers also analyzed donor records to gather information on the prevalence of demand versus supply mismatches, blood discards and wastages, and the reasons for these.  We analyzed data descriptively using Microsoft Excel 2019.

Results: The analysis included 16 staff, 230 donors, and 9612 units of requested blood. The study noted that the ERBTC was understaffed, and faced challenges of limited funding, few equipment, and irregular reagent supply. The blood bank only managed to supply only 4740 units of blood against a demand of 9612 units, thus a 50.69% deficit. A discard rate of 7.83% was also noted against 0% system wastages.

Conclusion:The study concluded that the main challenges facing the blood bank were understaffing, insufficient funding, limited equipment, and frequent reagent outages, excessive demand against limited supply, and blood discards.

Recommendations: The study recommended hiring of sufficient staff, increased funding, acquisition of equipment and reagents, and education of the public on the need for blood donation.

Biography:

Abstract:

Introduction: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening complication. Recently, HIT has been reported as a factor in exacerbating thrombocytopenia in COVID-19. Despite studies, the role of HIT in the development of thrombotic disorders and its mortality in COVID-19 patients is limited. In the present study, we assessed the incidence of HIT in patients with COVID-19.

Patients and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 97 COVID-19 patients in Yasuj City (Southwest Iran). Demographic factors and platelet count, PT, aPTT, and D-dimer were recorded and checked at admission and during hospitalization. Anti-Heparin-PF4 antibody assay was performed for all eligible patients. Statistical significance was based on two-sided design-based tests evaluated at the 0.05 level of significance. All the statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 20 software.

Results: Most of the patients (n= 57, 58.8%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 55.46 ± 15.2 years, and the mean hospitalization was 17.57 ± 7.2days. The mean platelet count at admission (in all patients) was 209.9 ± 79.8. The results of the Anti-Heparin-PF4 antibody assay showed that 9.3% (n =9) of the patients were positive for heparin PF4 antibody (HPA). The mortality rate was higher in HPA- positive.

Conclusion: Although the true frequency of HIT in this study was unclear, it can be concluded that HPA is a potential complication for COVID-19, with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Further confirmatory studies are required to address amities of the present study.