title: Validation of cord blood split products prepared by an automated method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we studied whether the contents of the two compartments of automatically processed cord blood (CB) units are comparable with respect to cell counts and viability and therefore suitable for clinical therapy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  CB-derived stem cells are increasingly used for allogeneic transplantation. Many centres prepare the transplants by automated methods allowing to split the product into two portions.
  
  
  METHODS
  CB was collected at different sites in Germany and transported to a single centre for processing. Before and after cryopreservation laboratory analyses were performed to compare the quality of the two CB segments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 33 products were processed [mean collection volume: 18·6 ± 1·2 mL (range 15·2-20·2 mL) segment A; mean: 4·7 ± 0·3 mL (range 4·2-5·2 mL) segment B]. CD34+ cell counts, viability of CD34+ cells and many other haematological parameters showed a good comparibility between the two segments. However, lymphocyte counts and results of clonogenic assays were significantly different between the two segments of the split product.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the preparation of the cord blood unit by the automated process results in a homogenous distribution of stem and progenitor cells. However, our findings show that the clonogenic capacity differs between the two segments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gutensohn
authors.affiliation: DRK Blutspendedienst Ost, Carl Gustav Carus University, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Odendahl
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kersten
authors.affiliation: DRK Blutspendedienst Ost, Carl Gustav Carus University, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tonn
mesh_terms: D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D001331:Automation; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001793:Blood Preservation; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D002470:Cell Survival; D002498:Centrifugation; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D036101:Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34