INTRODUCTIONApheresis in greek (apairesos) literally means to take away [1]. For many years, platelets were obtained by two step centrifugation process (buffy coat and Platelet rich plasma methods) from whole blood donations. Apheresis platelets became available by year 1970 [2]. Platelets obtained from apheresis technique are termed as Single Donor Platelets (SDP). SDP have advantages over Random Donor Platelets (RDP) in various aspects [3]. Apheresis has an adverse effect on donor haematopoiesis with short term and long term effects like anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphocytopenia [4]. The first Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guideline on Plateletpheresis, in 1983 limited the number of procedures to 12 in a year with no more than twice a week and minimum interval between two procedures must be 48 hours. In 1988, the FDA revised the upper limit to 24 procedures in a year. With blood centres collecting double dose and triple dose of platelets to meet the demand, FDA issued a draft guidance to limit the number of platelet components to be collected in a year to 24 rather than 24 procedures [5].With increased demand for apheresis platelets, higher platelet yield and higher donation frequencies were followed to meet the demand. This practice has raised concern on donor platelet depletion. The effects of apheresis donation on donor haematological parameters have been studied more in the west. There remains a conflicting picture on the effect of platelet apheresis on the donor with some studies concluding even repeated platelet apheresis is safe with no significant adverse effects [6] and some reporting significant effect on haematopoiesis [7]. AABB guidelines require an apheresis platelet to have a product count of more than 3x10 11 platelets / bag in atleast 90% of the products, whereas the 2007 council of Europe recommends >2 x10 11 platelets per haemostatic dose of SDP [8]. Donor can donate platelets at a minimum interval of 48 hours, not more than twice a week and not more than 24 times a year. AABB standards do not require a pre platelet count for single and double apheresis platelet collections. A Pre-donation count is required only if the frequency of donation is within 4 weeks of last donation [9]. The guidelines governing the frequency of plateletpheresis donations are derived from the west, it has to be determined to what extent these guidelines can be applied to Indian population by short term and long term follow-up of these donors. AImTo analyse the recovery of platelet count to baseline among apheresis platelet donors. mATeRIAls AND meThODsA prospective observational study carried out in Department of Transfusion Medicine during the period 2013-2014 with approval from Institutional ethics committee. Fifty apheresis platelet donors were included in the study. The sample size was arrived based on previous years experience on the number of apheresis procedures that were average 48 procedures per year.Standard operating procedure derived from Director General of Health Services (DGHS) guidelines for aphe...

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Posttransfusion purpura (PTP) is a rare condition that develops 5–10 days after transfusion of platelet containing blood component. Temporal relationship to blood transfusion, thrombocytopenia, and purpuric rashes with or without bleeding manifestation, supported by the serological presence of antiplatelet antibodies, are characteristic of PTP. We, herein, report a case of posttransfusion thrombocytopenia without purpuric rashes or bleeding symptoms, which is a rare presentation. A 44-year-old multiparous female, being treated for menorrhagia, who was transfused with three packed red blood cell units developed significant thrombocytopenia on day 8 after transfusion of the first unit. Her coagulation profile was normal. No purpuric rashes or bleeding manifestation was seen. Serum revealed the presence of antiplatelet antibodies on performing platelet antibody screen. Her platelet count improved from day 9 and reached above 50,000/μ l on day 10. She was managed conservatively with frequent monitoring for bleeding manifestations and blood counts.