Hua Shan

Blood banking in China

While transfusion-transmissible diseases, including AIDS and viral hepatitis, continue to spread especially in developing countries, the issue of safeguarding the worlds blood supply is of paramount importance. China houses more than 20% of the earths population, and thus its blood supply has the potential to affect the global community. In recent years, Chinese blood centres have tried to improve the nations blood safety. Although substantial progress has already been made, many daunting difficulties remain. Traditional cultural barriers need to be overcome to successfully mobilise volunteer blood donors. Gaps in information and technology still need to be closed. Insufficiency of economic resources also restrict the blood bank industry. Other developing countries face many of the same challenges as China.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study (REDS-III): a research program striving to improve blood donor and transfusion recipient outcomes

The Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study‐III (REDS‐III) is a 7‐year multicenter transfusion safety research initiative launched in 2011 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Influences of general and traditional Chinese beliefs on the decision to donate blood among employer‐organized and volunteer donors in Beijing, China

BACKGROUND: For the past several decades, Chinese blood centers have relied on blood donations from employer‐organized donors (blood donors who donate blood in groups with coworkers as prearranged by the employer and the local blood center). Recently the government has decided to phase out employer‐organized donors and transition to the use of only volunteer donors (blood donors who donate individually independent of employers). Evaluating the beliefs and attitudes of employer‐organized and volunteer donors is critical to maintain an adequate blood supply after this transition.

Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence and molecular study among blood donors in China

The risk of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection from blood transfusion has aroused increasing concern in many countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential risk of HEV infection through blood transfusion in China.

A multi–Chinese blood center study testing serologic-negative donor samples for hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus with nucleic acid testing

BACKGROUND: A multi–blood center study was conducted to evaluate a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) and hepatitisu2003C virus (HCV) multiplex nucleic acid testing (NAT) donor screening test and to determine the residual risk for HIV‐1 and HCV infection.

Significance of the signal-to-cutoff ratios of anti-hepatitis C virus enzyme immunoassays in screening of Chinese blood donors

BACKGROUND: The correlation between signal‐to‐cutoff (S/CO) ratios of a second‐generation hepatitisu2003C virus (HCV) enzyme immunoassay (EIA; Abbott) and a third‐generation HCV enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Ortho) and confirmed HCV infection has been reported. The utility of the values for the Chinese anti‐HCV EIA kits, however, has not been studied in evaluating test results in Chinese blood donors.

Demographic characteristics and risks for transfusion-transmissible infection among blood donors in Xinjiang autonomous region, People's Republic of China.

BACKGROUND: The recruitment and retention of voluntary, nonremunerated blood donors continues to be a challenge in China. Understanding donor demographics and donor characteristics is crucial for any blood center in developing strategies to recruit potential donors.

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.

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.

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

Backgroundu2002 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.