title: Quantification of Cell-Free DNA in Red Blood Cell Units in Different Whole Blood Processing Methods.
abstract: Background. Whole blood donations in Canada are processed by either the red cell filtration (RCF) or whole blood filtration (WBF) methods, where leukoreduction is potentially delayed in WBF. Fresh WBF red blood cells (RBCs) have been associated with increased in-hospital mortality after transfusion. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is released by neutrophils prior to leukoreduction, degraded during RBC storage, and is associated with adverse patient outcomes. We explored cfDNA levels in RBCs prepared by RCF and WBF and different storage durations.Methods. Equal numbers of fresh (stored ≤14 days) and older RBCs were sampled. cfDNA was quantified by spectrophotometry and PicoGreen. Separate regression models determined the association with processing method and storage duration and their interaction on cfDNA.Results. cfDNA in 120 RBC units (73 RCF, 47 WBF) were measured. Using PicoGreen, WBF units overall had higher cfDNA than RCF units (p= 0.0010); fresh WBF units had higher cfDNA than fresh RCF units (p= 0.0093). Using spectrophotometry, fresh RBC units overall had higher cfDNA than older units (p= 0.0031); fresh WBF RBCs had higher cfDNA than older RCF RBCs (p= 0.024).Conclusion. Higher cfDNA in fresh WBF was observed compared to older RCF blood. Further study is required for association with patient outcomes.
authors: Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors: Andrew W
authors: 0000-0001-7107-2595
authors: AW
authors: Shih
authors: Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors: Vinai C
authors: VC
authors: Bhagirath
authors: McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors: Nancy M
authors: NM
authors: Heddle
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Centre for Innovation, Canadian Blood Services, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors: Jason P
authors: 0000-0002-1445-827X
authors: JP
authors: Acker
authors: McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors: John W
authors: JW
authors: Eikelboom
authors: Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors: Patricia C
authors: PC
authors: Liaw