These data show that in the context of a CDC-negative crossmatch, the presence of D0 DSA has little impact on any early graft parameters. DSA, however, are associated with poorer longer-term graft outcomes in kidney transplantation.

Aim-To compare anticardiolipin (ACL) and anti-2 glycoprotein 1 ( 2gp1) enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) in the diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and to incorporate these results into a meta-analysis of published data. Method-Three representative commercial ACL ELISAs and an in house 2gp1 assay were optimised and then assessed on 124 sera from normal donors, patients with infection, or patients with APS. A Medline search was screened for papers meeting defined criteria to conduct a meta-analysis. The performance of the assays used in this study was included. Results-A non-quantitative ACL assay performed at least as well as the anti2gp1 assay in the diagnosis of APS. Meta-analysis confirmed that neither assay is perfect, although the anti-2gp1 assay had a higher specificity and lower sensitivity than the ACL assay. Conclusions-The pooled data suggest that the ACL assay is used to investigate thrombosis without overt underlying pathology and that the improved specificity of the anti-2gp1 assay is exploited where infection, connective tissue disease, or atheroma are present. (J Clin Pathol 2001;54:693-698)

Adverse reactions to plasma transfusion are well documented. One of the most serious hazards of transfusion, transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), has nearly as high an incidence of mortality and major morbidity as that reported for the transfusion of incorrect blood components. The specific mechanisms of plasma component-induced adverse reactions remain unclear, but a major contribution may be related to the presence of alloantibodies. In this study, a laboratory analysis was undertaken to determine the presence of HLA antibodies in leucodepleted single-donor-derived fresh frozen plasma (FFP). A comparison was made with a pooled plasma product that has undergone solvent detergent treatment. In total, 58 plasma samples from single-donor units of leucodepleted FFP were tested along with samples from 12 units (three for each ABO blood group) of the pooled plasma (Octaplas); Octapharma Ltd, Coventry, UK), for the presence of HLA antibodies. HLA-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods were used to screen for their presence, and complement-dependent cytotoxicity and flow cytometry analyses were used to further define their presence, specificity and class [immunoglobulin G (IgG)/IgM]. In the study groups, HLA antibodies were found to be present in five of the single-donor units (9%) while the pooled plasma samples tested negative.