Analyses of the effects of collection and processing time on the results of serology testing of cadaveric cornea donors.
Serologic testing results are one of the major reasons for discarding donor corneas. This study assessed the prevalence of serologic markers and the times of preanalytic steps. The prevalence of serologic markers in 705 cornea donors of the Lorraine region was studied. One hundred forty-one (20%) corneas were discarded on the basis of serologic testing. In a subsample of 180 consecutive cornea donors, data concerning the time of death, sampling, and serology testing were collected. When the time between death and sampling did not exceed 8 h (n = 122), immediate decantation (separation of serum from clot) led to less discarding of corneas than delayed decantation (2/46 [4.3%] discarded in the group with immediate decantation versus 13/76 [17.1%] discarded in the group with delayed decantation [P = 0.038]). For blood samples collected within 8 h of death, the rate of reactive results is significantly lower if samples are immediately decanted.
Bensoussan
Danièle
D
CHU de Nancy, Unité de Thérapie cellulaire et Tissus, Vandoeuvre-Lès-Nancy, France.
Jeulin
Hélène
H
Decot
Véronique
V
Agrinier
Nelly
N
Venard
Véronique
V
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D002498:Centrifugation; D003315:Cornea / Q000821:virology*; D003643:Death; D046148:Donor Selection / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*