1 Current Knowledge about the Pathogen 1.1 Characteristics of Hepatitis A Virus The clinical features of hepatitis A have been known for a long time. However, the pathogen (hepatitis A virus (HAV)) was firstly identified in 1973 with the aid of immune electron microscopy [1]. HAV is classified in the family of Picornaviridae , genus Hepatovirus .

Background: The new German regulations for hemotherapy require the use of autologous blood as buffy coat-poor packed red cells (PRC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or as leukocytedepleted whole blood (ldWB). There are no data, however, documenting reduced allogeneic transfusion rates and/or a better outcome with PRC/FFP or ldWB. We investigated whether storage as processed blood results in a different rate of homologous transfusion in patients undergoing surgery for hip arthroplasty. Patients and Methods: After informed consent 94 patients (48 men, 46 women, age 36–78 years) scheduled for hip arthroplasty and predepositing autologous blood were allocated at random to either of three groups: group WB (predeposit stored as unprocessed whole blood, surgery in the 5th week after the first donation), group ldWB (leukocyte-depleted whole blood, surgery in week 6) and group PRC/FFP (packed red cells and fresh frozen plasma, surgery in week 7). Three units were requested, deferral hemoglobin concentration was 11 g/dl. Results: Hemoglobin concentration prior to donation was measured as 13.8 ± 1.0, 14.2 plusmn; 1.1, 14.0 plusmn; 1.1 g/dl in groups WB, ldWB and PRC/FFP, respectively (mean plusmn; standard deviation); hemoglobin concentration prior to surgery as 13.0 plusmn; 1.3*, 13.5 plusmn; 1.4, 13.8 plusmn; 1.1* g/dl (*p < 0,05). Blood loss amounted to 2,270 (970–3,760), 1,850 (930–3,680) and 1,680 (480–3,390) ml (median, range) (n.s.). Two patients in group WB, 2 in group ldWB, and 1 in group PRC/FFP required allogeneic transfusion (n.s.). Conclusions: The type of storage of autologous predeposit does not seem to influence the allogeneic transfusion rate in hip arthroplasty. The patients in groups ldWB and PRC/FFP were allowed more time for erythropoiesis, but red cells were lost due to processing of the blood. The data do not support the concept to leukocyte-deplete autologous blood or to produce components.

s 4 228 Advances in Transfusion Safety – 2001, June 7 to 8, 2001 Guest Editor: Seitz, R., Langen