Practical limitations of convalescent plasma collection: a case scenario in pandemic preparation for influenza A (H1N1) infection.
BACKGROUND
To ensure a good preparedness for pandemic influenza A (H1N1), a study was conducted to investigate clinical effectiveness of hyperimmune intravenous globulin (H-IVIG) prepared from convalescent plasma donated by recovered patients. This article reports on the outcome of the collection phase of the study.


METHODS
Starting on August 26, 2009, all confirmed patients aged between 18 and 55 years were invited for participation into the study and screen for plasma donation eligibility. Effective September 17, 2009, those who were unwilling to consider screening for plasma were asked to donate whole blood. Plasma collected or separated from whole blood had to demonstrate sufficient neutralization antibodies titers of 40 or more before being channeled for H-IVIG production.


RESULTS
By October 31, 2009, a total of 9101 persons were successfully contacted. A total of 1309 screening and 619 whole blood donation appointments were made. In the former 786 (60.0%) attended screening but only 301 could donate plasma by apheresis because of failure to meet blood donation eligibility criteria, failed laboratory tests, insufficient neutralization antibody titers, and inability to make the apheresis appointment. For those who opted for whole blood donation, 379 (61.2%) had attended and donated. A total of 276 L of convalescent plasma with sufficient neutralization antibodies titers was collected for H-IVIG production.


CONCLUSIONS
The study highlighted a number of practical limitations in convalescent plasma collection programs and plasmapheresis is always the preferred mode of collection. It provided valuable learning experience for the blood transfusion service in future planning when large-scale collection is required.
Wong
Hoi K
HK
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Lee
Cheuk K
CK
Hung
Ivan F N
IF
Leung
Jennifer N S
JN
Hong
Juliana
J
Yuen
Kwok Y
KY
Lin
Che K
CK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007252:Influenza Vaccines