Ruby, Kristen N

Abstract Background Babesia and Plasmodium are intraerythrocytic parasites that cause babesiosis and malaria, respectively. Significant associations between human blood group antigens and malaria are known; however, few studies have examined the relationship between blood group antigens and babesiosis. Study Design and Methods From June to August 2025, 100 Babesia polymerase chain reaction (PCR)− and 100 B. microti PCR+ human patient samples tested at a national reference laboratory underwent ABO and D phenotyping and red blood cell (RBC) genotyping of 37 antigens. Results The predicted phenotype of S‐s+ was found in 32% and 50% of Babesia − and B. microti + patients, respectively (χ 2 = 5.97, p = .015, odds ratio = 2.125, 95% confidence interval 1.18–3.78). Two B. microti + patients had the predicted phenotype of Fy(a‐b‐), meaning that Duffy is unlikely to be an essential invasion receptor. There were no statistically significant differences in ABO or D expression between the groups. Discussion Because multiple testing corrections were not applied to the statistical analyses, the S/s predicted phenotype results must be viewed as hypothesis‐generating. This may be the first study to link B. microti infection to human RBC S/s antigens, which are known to impact B. divergens and P. falciparum . Additional studies are needed to understand the impact of the babesiosis patient's blood type on B. microti infection and whether the transfusion of RBCs expressing specific antigens can impact the disease.

ABSTRACT A major challenge in hematopoietic progenitor cell apheresis is determining the whole blood (WB) volume to process to achieve a CD34+ cell collection goal. We developed a web‐based calculator app that uses the Collection Efficiency 2 (CE2) model to estimate personalized WB processing volumes needed to reach a prescribed CD34+ cell collection goal. Retrospective evaluation of the app using collection data from two academic medical centers showed that actual processed WB volumes were frequently higher than the app's recommendations. The frequency of potential under‐collection events is predicted to be low had the app‐calculated volumes been utilized. Our findings suggest that using the app's recommendations may lower total WB processing volumes, reducing over‐collection and time spent on the apheresis machine, while maintaining a low under‐collection risk profile.

AbstractBackgroundGeographic information system (GIS) technology is widely used in public health to track disease patterns, though its application in transfusion medicine is limited. We report the use of GIS software by a hospital‐based blood donor program to examine patterns of blood drive activity.Study Design and MethodsWe performed a 3‐year retrospective study examining our donor program's mobile drives. Esri ArcGIS Pro™ software and ArcGIS Online™ were used to create vector and choropleth maps reflecting activity by town.ResultsSixteen thousand nine mobile whole blood donations were identified in 2021–2023. Four hundred and fifty‐five mobile blood drives were hosted at 189 unique locations. Seventeen towns within or intersecting a 15‐mile radius of our donation center had never been visited by our bloodmobile during the study period, with adult population sizes ranging from approximately 3000 to 53,000 representing donation opportunities. Untapped blood mobile opportunities were also identified in 33 Massachusetts towns (>700,000 adults) with nearby healthcare facilities in our hospital network.DiscussionGIS‐generated maps serve as an effective tool to identify previously successful blood donation locations and locations not yet visited by our donor program. Blood collection centers may benefit from future application of ArcGIS analysis tools to identify optimal locations for future mobile blood drives.

AbstractBackgroundImmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a hematologic disorder characterized by severe acquired deficiency in ADAMTS13, resulting in thrombotic microangiopathy and death if untreated. Plasma exchange (PLEX) is the backbone of iTTP management and has improved survival in this disorder. Guidelines suggest initiation of PLEX within 4–8 h of presentation; however, there is little evidence to guide the precise timing of PLEX, and barriers exist to its timely deployment.Study design and methodsWe examined determinants of time between symptom onset to PLEX initiation (S2P) and hospital presentation to PLEX initiation (door to PLEX, D2P) in a large iTTP research cohort at an academic medical center.ResultsIn 225 cases occurring in 143 unique patients, the median (IQR) S2P time was 4.28 (1.92–7.47) days. In linear mixed effects regression analysis, increased S2P was associated with greater distance from a participating apheresis center (p = .01) and higher presenting platelet count (p = .046), while relapse presentation was associated with shorter S2P (p = .036). The median (IQR) D2P time was 8.4 (5.03–15.63) h. Longer D2P time was associated with a higher presenting platelet count (p = .002) and trended towards association with male sex (p = .057). Increased S2P and D2P times were not associated with hospital length of stay, mortality, or the composite of mortality and ICU stay.ConclusionOur data show that different factors contribute to the interval between symptom onset and presentation versus the time between presentation and initiation of therapy in iTTP.