Mean CD34+eff and CD34+ cell yields were better on Amicus than on CS-3000+. CD34+eff of Amicus, however, seems to be related to the initial WBC counts, decreasing progressively when WBC increased over 4 x 10(3) per microL that coincided with the increase in CD34+ cell concentrations. For these cases, the volume and duration of cycles should be adapted to optimize CD34+ collections by using Amicus separators.

Accurate methods are required for estimating the incidence of AIHA in children. Capture-recapture analysis corrects underreporting and provides optimal completeness. This study highlights a possible under diagnosis of this potentially severe disease in various pediatric settings. AIHA incidence may now be compared with the incidences of other hematological diseases and used for clinical or research purposes.

We detected Staphylococcus aureus superantigenic toxins in the platelet infusion bags that had been used for 2 patients who subsequently developed transfusion-associated Staphylococcus aureus infection. Both patients, who were immunodeficient, developed manifestations of toxic shock syndrome and septic shock, and they died soon after the onset of infection.

Atmosphere with low O2 and high CO2 concentration (3% O2/6% CO2) in hypothermia (+4°C) during 7 days of storage prevents cell damage and preserves a high number of functional HSCs and progenitors mobilized in PB by granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor.