Hongli Ma

The increasing prevalence of serologic markers for syphilis among Chinese blood donors in 2008 through 2010 during a syphilis epidemic.

BACKGROUND: In China, the growing syphilis epidemic parallels the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the general population. This study evaluated the prevalence and incidence of serologic markers for syphilis among donors at five Chinese blood centers.

Analysis of Chinese donors' return behavior

BACKGROUND: It is important to understand donor return behavior. Converting first‐time donors to become repeat donors is essential for maintaining an adequate blood supply.

Impact of the May 12, 2008, earthquake on blood donations across five Chinese blood centers

BACKGROUND: On May 12, 2008, a severe earthquake struck Chinas Sichuan Province. The nationwide outpouring of charity resulted in a surge of subsequent blood donations. The quantity and quality of these donations were examined in comparison with routine donations.

Demographics of apheresis platelet donors in five blood centers in China.

BACKGROUND: Blood component donations by apheresis has become more common in modern blood transfusion practices. However, apheresis donation still remains less common in China. This study describes the demographic profile and transfusion‐transmissible infection (TTI) prevalence among donors making apheresis platelet (AP) donations compared to those making whole blood (WB) donations and the differences among five geographically diverse blood centers in China.

A study of seroprevalence and rates of asymptomatic viremia of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus among Chinese blood donors

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), an emerging tick‐borne pathogen that can cause fatal severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, was first identified in China in 2009. Limited evidence suggests that SFTSV can be transmitted between humans via blood contact, raising concerns over transfusion safety. A study of donor samples from three Chinese blood centers was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence and rate of SFTSV viremia among Chinese blood donors.

An analysis of risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus infection among Chinese blood donors

Information regarding the risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among Chinese donors is important for understanding the trend of HIV transmission routes and for developing effective donor behavioral screening policies.

First-time donors responding to a national disaster may be an untapped resource for the blood centre

Background  On 12 May 2008, a severe earthquake struck Sichuan in China. Many people donated blood for the first time, leading us to question whether these donors might become repeat donors in the future. The return pattern of post‐earthquake first‐time donors (PEFTD) was compared with that of first‐time donors (FTD) in a comparable period.

The persistence of hepatitis C virus transmission risk in China despite serologic screening of blood donations

A total of 2%‐2.9% of the population in China is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). This study estimated the prevalence and incidence of HCV among Chinese blood donors.

Risk factors for hepatitis B and C infection among blood donors in five Chinese blood centers.

Few studies were conducted on hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) risk factors among Chinese blood donors in recent years since voluntary donors replaced commercial donors.

The infection staging and profile of genotypic distribution and drug resistance mutation among the human immunodeficiency virus-1 infected blood donors from five Chinese blood centers, 2012–2014

The increasing complexity and diversity of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infections challenge the disease control and anti-retrovirus treatment in China. The infection stages and molecular characteristics of HIV-1 from infected Chinese blood donors were examined to shed light on the HIV genotype distribution and the status of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in the changing HIV epidemic in China. Western blot (WB) confirmed HIV-1 positive plasma samples were collected from blood donors at five Chinese blood centers from April 16, 2012, through June 30, 2014. The HIV infection stages were determined using the Lag-avidity assay. HIV Pol regions including whole protease and partial reverse transcriptase (RT) were amplified and sequenced to establish the profile of genotype distribution and drug resistance mutations (DRMs). Viral loads were determined using the ROCHE COBAS system. Of the 259 HIV-1 positive samples tested by the Lag-avidity assay, 23.6% (61/259) were identified as recent infections. A total of 205 amplified sequences displayed the following genotype distributions: circulating recombinant form (CRF) 07_BC (61.5%), CRF08_BC (8.3%), CRF01_AE (20%), B (6.3%), and 01B (3.9%). There was no significant difference in genotype distribution between recent and long-term infections. 31 DRMs were identified from 27 samples including four protease inhibitors (PIs) accessory DRMs, two PIs major DRMs (M46I), two nucleoside RT inhibitors DRMs (K219R and K70Q), and 23 nonnucleoside RT inhibitors DRMs. 27 samples had DRMs, yielding a drug resistance prevalence of 13.2% (27/205). Our findings provide important information for developing strategies for comprehensive HIV control and improving anti-retroviral treatment in China.