Biomedical subjects

Nuzhat Salamat

Publications and source records attributed to Nuzhat Salamat.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Anti-hepatits B core antigen testing, viral markers, and occult hepatitis B virus infection in Pakistani blood donors: implications for transfusion practice.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc) and the impact of its testing along with other markers of hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), and syphilis in Pakistani blood donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional. A total of 966 donors were selected randomly for testing of anti-HBc and HBV markers, including HBV DNA, of 94,177 blood donors who were routinely screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, human immunodeficiency virus antibody (anti-HIV), Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA), and malarial parasites from 2003 to October 2005. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of various infectious markers was as follows: HBsAg, 2.16 percent; anti-HCV, 4.16 percent; anti-HIV, 0.004 percent; TPHA, 0.75 percent; and malaria, 0.002 percent. Anti-HBc prevalence in HBsAg-negative, HBV DNA-negative blood donors was 167 of 966 (17.28%), with 76 percent demonstrating anti-HBs positivity. Younger donors with mean age of 25 years were exposed to HBV to a lesser extent compared to those with a mean age of 29 years. Anti-HBc positivity was significantly higher in anti-HCV-reactive individuals. HBV DNA was detectable in 5 blood donors who were HBsAg-, anti-HBc-positive and were categorized as having occult HBV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that more than 17 percent of healthy, young blood donors in Pakistan are already exposed to HBV, with two-thirds showing anti-HBs levels of greater than 100 mIU per mL. One in 200 blood donors who are HBsAg-, anti-HBc-positive, however, have occult HBV infection, with likelihood of transmission of hepatitis B in recipients of blood components derived from them. HBsAg-negative individuals who are anti-HBc-negative and those who are anti-HBc-positive, anti-HBs-positive, and HBV DNA-negative should be selected as regular blood donors to minimize transmission due to occult hepatitis B infection.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Primary splenic lymphoma.

A middle-aged lady presented with fever and splenomegaly and had been provisionally treated for malaria, typhoid and tuberculosis. Diagnostic splenectomy was performed which revealed diffuse large cell lymphoma, B type, localized to spleen. Patient had remission of disease after splenectomy.

Biopsy, Needle↗

PubMed2005

Indigenous development of antibody screening cell panels at Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion (AFIT).

OBJECTIVE: To prepare good quality screening cells reagent according to the standards, at Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion (AFIT). METHODS: Random group O donors, seronegative for HBsAg, HCV and HIV were selected if they resided in Rawalpindi or Islamabad and could be contacted. Micro column Gel technique was used to find out R1R1, R1wr, R2R2 and rr phenotypes with or without K antigen. Repeat sample of these donors were phenotyped for minimum antigens required for reagent cells. Teams of three donors each were made on the basis of Rh, K antigens and homozygosity for E, Fya, Fyb, Jka, Jkb, S, and s antigens. The selected cells were added to preservative suspension containing neomycin and chloramphenicol and dispensed as 8% solution and labeled. Cells were submitted to quality control testing for 35 days shelf life and efficacy was compared with commercial cells. RESULTS: The cells of required phenotype were prepared according to UK guidelines and AABB standards with minor exceptions. Reagent cells had excellent quality confirmed by many quality control procedures and were comparable to commercial cells in efficacy. The cost saving was significant. CONCLUSION: AFIT can introduce type and screen policy and Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule using indigenously prepared cells, of good quality and at an affordable price. This will enhance serological safety of recipients and brings AFIT near to adopting standard practice of pretransfusion testing.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMed2004

Red cell immunization in beta thalassaemia major.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the frequency, pattern and factors influencing red cell immunization secondary to multiple blood transfusions in patients of beta-thalassaemia major. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion, Rawalpindi, in November 2002. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty-one patients suffering from beta-thalassaemia major and on regular blood transfusions were included in the study. Their blood samples were tested for blood grouping, direct antiglobulin test and antibody screening/identification using reagents of DiaMed-ID Gel microtyping system. RESULTS: The total rate of red cell immunization was found to be 6.84%. Red cell alloantibodies were detected in 4.97% patients, and belonged mainly to Rh system, with one example each of anti-K, anti-Jsb and anti-Jka. Direct antiglobulin test was positive in 3 patients (1.87%) with increased hemolysis. Two had warm panreactive IgG antibodies suggesting red cell autoimmunization. Red cells of the 3rd patient showed sensitization with c-3d, with presence of an autoreactive cold agglutinin in the serum having a titre of 1:4. The red cell alloantibody formation was not influenced by age at first transfusion, number of blood transfusions and ethnicity. CONCLUSION: The rate of red cell alloimmunization in beta-thalassaemia major is relatively low in our setup and may be related to red cell homogeneity between the donor and recipient population. Routine pre-transfusion matching of blood, other than ABO and Rh "D" antigens is not recommended because of low rate of red cell alloimmunization, and high costs associated with such testing. Hyperhaemolysis, due to acquired red cell autoantibodies was found to be an important complication. Patients who develop this complication should be tested for presence of underlying alloantibodies and considered for immunosuppressive treatment.

Adolescent↗