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Biomedical subjects

D G Woodfield

Publications and source records attributed to D G Woodfield.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Autologous blood transfusion in Auckland.

AIMS: To review autologous blood collection and transfusion practice in Auckland over the last five years. METHOD: Records of autologous blood collections were obtained from blood collection centre records and results of transfusions on patients from hospital notes. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-four units of blood were collected from 77 patients. Seventy-five percent of the units collected were transfused. Most autologous blood was transfused to private hospital patients. Only 8% of patients required homologous blood. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a slow increase of autologous blood collection and transfusion in the Auckland area, as well as in the rest of New Zealand. The present risks of homologous transfusion, particularly since the introduction of hepatitis C testing, appear very low. A further expansion of the present autologous blood programme would entail increased expenditure and it is suggested that a critical cost benefit analysis would be useful before the programme is expanded.

Blood Transfusion

Blood donation.

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Blood Donors

Hepatitis C.

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Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in New Zealand.

Preliminary studies of the seroprevalence of hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) in selected New Zealand populations, reveal similarities to other Western countries. High rates occur in haemophiliacs and intravenous drug users with relatively low rates in routine blood donors. Unlike hepatitis B virus infections anti-HCV does not appear to be more prevalent in Maoris and Pacific Islanders living in New Zealand. Chronic liver disease is associated with anti-HCV. The frequency of anti-HCV in homosexuals and persons attending sexual disease clinics is higher than that found in blood donors. Further detailed studies of the frequency of anti-HCV in New Zealand populations are now required to extend the present baseline data.

Hepatitis Antibodies

Investigation of Lewis phenotypes in Polynesians: evidence of a weak secretor phenotype.

The salivary ABH and Lewis antigens of Polynesians were measured using a standardised red cell agglutination microplate assay and compared with the red cell defined Lewis phenotypes. Salivary ABH substances were detected in almost all saliva samples tested, with low levels (partial secretion) of ABH substances in the saliva from Le(a+b-) and Le(a+b+) individuals. Salivary Leb substance was detected in all Le(a-b+) and Le(a+b+) samples and in almost all Le(a+b-) samples. It is evident from the results obtained that Polynesian red cell phenotypes cannot be used to predict the presence or absence of salivary substances. If the presence of a coding secretor gene is presumed responsible for salivary ABH antigens and salivary Leb antigen expression, then the incidence of a coding secretor gene in Polynesians is 98%. These results indicate that the recessive non-secretor gene is absent or rare in a Polynesian derived gene pool. Two variants of secretor individuals are found among Polynesians, secretors with expression of normal amounts of the product of the secretor gene, similar to Caucasians, and partial secretors with weak expression of the secretor gene products.

ABO Blood-Group System

The safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in neonates.

A study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a yeast derived recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B) was conducted in healthy newborn infants born to low risk European mothers negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The vaccination schedule using 20 micrograms doses was administered intramuscularly at 0, 1 and 6 months. The seroconversion rate was 99% (90 of 91 infants). The geometric mean titer of antibody to hepatitis B was 1259 mIU/mL one month after the third dose of vaccine. Possible side effects reported by the mothers were minor and uncommon. This vaccine is highly immunogenic and safe for use in infants.

Drug Evaluation

Influence of heat treatment on FVIII:C recovery from freeze dried cryoprecipitate.

A standard lyophilised triple cryoprecipitate preparation, stabilised by the addition of Synthamin 17, was heat treated at 60 degrees C for 48 hours. The total protein content, factor VIII concentration, and factor VIII recovery were not affected by the heat treatment procedure. Heat treatment did not influence the reconstitution characteristics of the freeze dried preparation and there were no side effects during or after administration. The mean in vivo rise of factor VIII from infused heat treated triple cryoprecipitate was 2.5 (SD 0.9)%/unit/kg with a half life of 13.1 (3.1) hours. These results compare favourably with those obtained using non-heated triple cryoprecipitate. Cryoprecipitate can be heat treated without adversely influencing factor VIII recovery, and the ability to prepare a heat treated cryoprecipitate means that a small pool high yield factor VIII preparation can again be used in routine clinical practice.

Adolescent

The Le(a+b+) phenotype in Polynesians.

The presence of the rare Lewis phenotype Le(a+b+) is reported in various Polynesian groups, including Maoris, Samoans, Cook Islanders, Nuieans and Tokelau Islanders. The phenotype was found in Polynesians of all blood groups and the frequency was significantly increased in group 0 persons. The phenotype was not significantly associated with H reactivity in group A donors and showed no correlation with age or sex.

ABO Blood-Group System

Posttransfusion hepatitis: a persistent problem.

Between 1977-84 the reported frequency of clinically evident posttransfusion hepatitis has halved both nationally and in the Auckland region. This is mainly due to a decrease in the frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis B coincident with widespread introduction of sensitive screening tests for HBsAg. About half the cases of transfusion induced hepatitis are now classified as non A non B hepatitis. A further fall in the reported frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis occurred in 1985-86. Possible strategies to further reduce the low frequency of posttransfusion hepatitis in New Zealand are discussed. Although the problem of clinical posttransfusion hepatitis B or non B appears small, the need to report all such cases and to utilise blood and blood products with care is emphasised.

Hepatitis B