Autologous cord blood transfusion

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Neonatal Care
• Transfusion Medicine

Background:

• Exsanguination and retransfusion models are crucial for studying blood substitutes and transfusion efficacy in neonatal physiology.
• Neonatal piglets serve as a relevant model for assessing transfusion strategies due to physiological similarities with human neonates.
• Cord blood, a potential source for transfusions, requires rigorous evaluation for sterility and viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of adult pig red blood cells and piglet cord blood cells in treating exsanguinated newborn piglets.
• To assess the safety and feasibility of collecting and storing human cord blood for potential transfusion purposes.

Main Methods:

• Newborn piglets underwent 60% exsanguination followed by retransfusion with either adult pig red blood cells or piglet cord blood cells; controls received plasma.
• Human cord blood samples (n=100) were collected aseptically for microbial and Mycoplasma cultures.
• Coagulation parameters were analyzed in eight cord plasma samples stored for 45 days at -20°C.

Main Results:

• Piglets transfused with adult pig red blood cells or piglet cord blood cells showed satisfactory outcomes, while plasma-infused controls did not survive.
• All tested human cord blood samples were sterile and Mycoplasma-negative.
• No significant coagulation abnormalities were observed in stored human cord plasma samples.

Conclusions:

• Both adult pig red blood cells and piglet cord blood cells are effective in resuscitating exsanguinated piglets.
• Human cord blood is a safe and sterile source for transfusion, maintaining its integrity after short-term storage.