Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that results from genetic defects causing deficient synthesis of hemoglobin polypeptide chains. Although thalassemia mostly affects developing countries, there is limited knowledge of its accurate frequency and distribution in these regions. Knowing the prevalence of thalassemia and the frequency of responsible mutations is therefore an important step in the prevention and control program as well as treatment strategies. This study was performed to determine the prevalence and to study the spectrum of gene deletions that are responsible in α-thalassemia in Kelantan, located in northeastern Malaysia. A total 400 first-time blood donors from multiple areas of donation centre were chosen randomly. The presence of three types of α-thalassemia gene deletion in southeast Asian population which were -SEAdeletion, -α 3.7 rightward deletion, and -α 4.2 leftward deletion was detected by using multiplex PCR method. 37 (9.25%) of blood donors were confirmed to have α-thalassemia deletion types. 34 (8%) were heterozygous for α3.7 deletion, 1 (0.25%) was heterozygous for α4.2 deletion, and 2 (0.5%) were heterozygous for SEA type deletion. Alpha-thalassemia-2 with 3.7 deletion was the most common determinant detected in Kelantan Malay compared to other ethnic groups. It has been noted that alpha-thalassemia-2 with 3.7 deletion is the most common type of α-thalassemia throughout the world.

Immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, which occurs in almost all haematological malignancies of B-cell lineage, also presents in a very small proportion of T-cell or myeloid malignancies.

The rate of near misses in transfusion is important as it indicates situations with the potential of adverse outcome. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of mislabeled and miscollected samples received by our transfusion medicine unit. This study was conducted from January to December 2009 in Transfusion Medicine Unit, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. The total number of near-miss events reported and analysed over the 1-year period was 178 (0.40%). All mislabeled and miscollected samples and its location cases were identified. Mislabeled and miscollected (WBIT) samples were 66.3% and 33.7%, respectively. The highest number of mislabeled and miscollected samples was from accident and emergency unit and medical ward, respectively. Continuous monitoring and analysis of near misses data should be mandatory in order to improve the safety of transfusion.

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