ObjectiveLarge data on the clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 in the Indian population are scarce. We analysed the factors associated with mortality in a cohort of moderately and severely ill patients with COVID-19 enrolled in a randomised trial on convalescent plasma.DesignSecondary analysis of data from a Phase II, Open Label, Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma to Limit COVID-19 Associated Complications in Moderate Disease.Setting39 public and private hospitals across India during the study period from 22 April to 14 July 2020.ParticipantsOf the 464 patients recruited, two were lost to follow-up, nine withdrew consent and two patients did not receive the intervention after randomisation. The cohort of 451 participants with known outcome at 28 days was analysed.Primary outcome measureFactors associated with all-cause mortality at 28 days after enrolment.ResultsThe mean (SD) age was 51±12.4 years; 76.7% were males. Admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score was 2.4±1.1. Non-invasive ventilation, invasive ventilation and vasopressor therapy were required in 98.9%, 8.4% and 4.0%, respectively. The 28-day mortality was 14.4%. Median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was similar in survivors (4 days; IQR 3–7) and non-survivors (4 days; IQR 3–6). Patients with two or more comorbidities had 2.25 (95% CI 1.18 to 4.29, p=0.014) times risk of death. When compared with survivors, admission interleukin-6 levels were higher (p<0.001) in non-survivors and increased further on day 3. On multivariable Fine and Gray model, severity of illness (subdistribution HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.35, p<0.001), PaO2/FiO2 ratio <100 (3.47, 1.64–7.37, p=0.001), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio >10 (9.97, 3.65–27.13, p<0.001), D-dimer >1.0 mg/L (2.50, 1.14–5.48, p=0.022), ferritin ≥500 ng/mL (2.67, 1.44–4.96, p=0.002) and lactate dehydrogenase ≥450 IU/L (2.96, 1.60–5.45, p=0.001) were significantly associated with death.ConclusionIn this cohort of moderately and severely ill patients with COVID-19, severity of illness, underlying comorbidities and elevated levels of inflammatory markers were significantly associated with death.Trial registration numberCTRI/2020/04/024775.

Background: Platelet transfusions are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality in patients who are severely thrombocytopenic and are at risk of spontaneous bleeding. Platelets are currently obtained either by fractionation of whole blood or by platelet apheresis. The quality of single donor platelets (SDP) in terms of yield influences platelet recovery in the recipient and allows prolonging intervals between transfusions. Material and Methods: Donor demographic and laboratory data were analyzed prior to performing plateletpheresis to identify donor factors that influence platelet yield. The study was conducted on 130 healthy, first-time plateletpheresis donors over a period of 4 years. The plateletpheresis procedures were performed using Fresenius Kabi COM.TEC and Hemonetics MCS plus separator. A relationship between pre-donation donor variables and yield of platelets was studied using the Pearson correlation. Results: The mean platelet yield was 3.160.62x10 11 per unit. A positive correlation was observed between platelet yield and pre-donation platelet count, body mass index (BMI; Kg/m 2) of the donor, while a negative correlation was observed between age and the platelet yield. Conclusion: Donor pre-donation platelet count, BMI and donor age influence platelet yield. Young healthy donors with a high platelet count and better BMI can give a better platelet yield in the SDP.

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Introduction: Haemolysis in Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA) is a result of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) or Immunoglobulin M (IgM) auto-antibodies with or without complement components binding to the Red Blood Cell (RBC) surface and initiating its destruction. Serologic evidence is provided by autocontrol or Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT). Diagnostic work-up is essential as the management depends on the antibody type. Characteristics of the bound antibody and the target antigen determine the degree of haemolysis. Serological characterisation in AIHA helps to differentiate into its various types which help the clinician to decide on the treatment to be given. Aim: To serologically characterise the auto-antibodies in patients with DAT positive AIHA at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Transfusion Medicine, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India, from March 2019 to February 2020. A 40 consecutive patient samples were included in the study. Characterisation of antibody was done using polyspecific Anti-Human Globulin (AHG) reagent followed by mono-specific AHG reagent by gel method. If antibody was of IgG type, then the subclass was determined by a mono specific anti-IgG1 and anti-IgG3 gel card. Association between antibody types, subtype, and strength of DAT with severity of haemolysis were compared using Chi-square/Fisher’s-exact test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The total study population was 40 patients. The mean age of the study population was 45 years (range 13-78). Out of 40 patients, males were 30 (75%) and females were 10 (25%). The primary and secondary causes for AIHA include 4 (10%) and 36 (90%) respectively. Among 40 patients, 22 (55%) patients had IgG antibody alone, 17 (42.5%) patients had IgG antibody with combination of other antibodies and 1 (2.5%) had only complement (C3d). IgG1 was identified in 7 (18%) of patients, combination of IgG1 and IgG3 in 3 (7.7%). There was a significant association with IgG+combination (p-value=0.03), IgG1+IgG3 (p-value=0.029) and strength of reaction (p-value=0.003) with respect to severity of haemolysis. Conclusion: Presence of multiple antibodies, presence of IgG1 and IgG3 and with complement combination and presence of higher grading of reaction in gel column were associated with severity of haemolysis. We recommend that serological characterisation of auto-antibody in AIHA would help the clinician in assessing the severity of haemolysis so that management can be done appropriately.