Debra Kessler
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View article: Effects of iron repletion on brain iron content, myelination, neural network activation, and cognition
Effects of iron repletion on brain iron content, myelination, neural network activation, and cognition Open
BACKGROUNDBlood donation increases the risk of iron deficiency, but its effect on brain iron, myelination, and neurocognition remains unclear.METHODSThis ancillary study enrolled 67 iron-deficient blood donors, 19-73 years of age, particip…
View article: Factors associated with active syphilis infection in <scp>US</scp> blood donors
Factors associated with active syphilis infection in <span>US</span> blood donors Open
Background Syphilis is increasing globally, with limited monitoring of risk factors in asymptomatic, low‐risk populations. Here, we investigate contemporary demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with active syphilis infection …
View article: Iron Repletion of Iron-Deficient Blood Donors Affects Brain Iron, Myelin, and Neural Network Activation Patterns
Iron Repletion of Iron-Deficient Blood Donors Affects Brain Iron, Myelin, and Neural Network Activation Patterns Open
Background: In otherwise healthy iron-deficient adults, the effects of systemic iron repletion on brain iron and iron-requiring myelination have not been characterized. However, in animal studies, the iron-deficient brain rapidly regains i…
View article: HIV Subtypes and Drug-resistance-associated Mutations in US Blood Donors, 2015–2020
HIV Subtypes and Drug-resistance-associated Mutations in US Blood Donors, 2015–2020 Open
Background Monitoring genotypes of HIV infections in blood donors may provide insights into infection trends in the general population. Methods HIV RNA was extracted from plasma samples of blood donors confirmed as HIV positive by blood sc…
View article: Changes in transfusion‐transmissible infection prevalence and demographics among <scp>US</scp> blood donors during the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 pandemic
Changes in transfusion‐transmissible infection prevalence and demographics among <span>US</span> blood donors during the <span>COVID</span>‐19 pandemic Open
Background The COVID‐19 pandemic impacted the US blood supply. We compared blood donor demography and infectious disease prevalence before and during the pandemic using a large multicenter database. Methods Data were categorized as “Before…
View article: Patient and Immunological Factors Associated With Delayed Clearance of Mucosal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 RNA and Symptom Persistence
Patient and Immunological Factors Associated With Delayed Clearance of Mucosal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 RNA and Symptom Persistence Open
Serial blood and mucosal samples were characterized for 102 participants enrolled a median of 7.0 days after coronavirus disease 2019 diagnosis. Mucosal RNA was detectable for a median of 31.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.5–63.5) days…
View article: Syphilis seroprevalence and incidence in <scp>US</scp> blood donors from 2020 to 2022
Syphilis seroprevalence and incidence in <span>US</span> blood donors from 2020 to 2022 Open
Background HIV, HBV, and HCV infections for ~60% of the US blood supply are monitored by TTIMS with syphilis added in 2020. Study Design and Methods Data were compiled from October 2020 to September 2022. Syphilis prevalence was estimated …
View article: Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Viremia in Presymptomatic Blood Donors in the Delta and Omicron Variant Eras
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Viremia in Presymptomatic Blood Donors in the Delta and Omicron Variant Eras Open
Presymptomatic plasma samples from 1596 donors reporting coronavirus disease 2019 infection or symptoms after blood donation were tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and anti-S and anti-N antibodies.…
View article: Phase I Trial of CD8-Depleted Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Mismatched Unrelated Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (DLI) to Achieve Remissions in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (sAML)
Phase I Trial of CD8-Depleted Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Mismatched Unrelated Donor Lymphocyte Infusion (DLI) to Achieve Remissions in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia (sAML) Open
The pathologic process in traumatic brain injury marked by delayed axonal loss, known as diffuse axonal injury (DAI), leads to partial deafferentation of neurons downstream of injured axons. This process is linked to persistent visual dysf…
View article: Blood donation motivators and barriers reported by young, first‐time whole blood donors: Examining the association of reported motivators and barriers with subsequent donation behavior and potential sex, race, and ethnic group differences
Blood donation motivators and barriers reported by young, first‐time whole blood donors: Examining the association of reported motivators and barriers with subsequent donation behavior and potential sex, race, and ethnic group differences Open
Background A greater understanding of young, first‐time donor motivators and barriers is needed to address the ongoing challenge of retaining these essential donors. Study Design and Methods Structured interviews conducted with 508 young, …
View article: A randomized trial of blood donor iron repletion on red cell quality for transfusion and donor cognition and well-being
A randomized trial of blood donor iron repletion on red cell quality for transfusion and donor cognition and well-being Open
Although altruistic regular blood donors are vital for the blood supply, many become iron deficient from donation-induced iron loss. The effects of blood donation–induced iron deficiency on red cell transfusion quality or donor cognition a…
View article: Frequent detection but lack of infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in presymptomatic, infected blood donor plasma
Frequent detection but lack of infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in presymptomatic, infected blood donor plasma Open
Respiratory viruses such as influenza do not typically cause viremia; however, SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in the blood of COVID-19 patients with mild and severe symptoms. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in blood raises questions about its role i…
View article: Fear is associated with attrition of first‐time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators
Fear is associated with attrition of first‐time whole blood donors: A longitudinal examination of donor confidence and attitude as potential mediators Open
Background Elevated fear and anxiety regarding donation‐related stimuli (e.g., needles, pain, blood, fainting) has been associated with reduced blood donor recruitment and retention. The present longitudinal study tests the notion that thi…
View article: Estimated US Infection- and Vaccine-Induced SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Based on Blood Donations, July 2020-May 2021
Estimated US Infection- and Vaccine-Induced SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Based on Blood Donations, July 2020-May 2021 Open
Based on a sample of blood donations in the US from July 2020 through May 2021, vaccine- and infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence increased over time and varied by age, race and ethnicity, and geographic region. Despite weighting to…
View article: Results from the blood donor competence, autonomy, and relatedness enhancement (blood donor <scp>CARE</scp>) randomized trial
Results from the blood donor competence, autonomy, and relatedness enhancement (blood donor <span>CARE</span>) randomized trial Open
Background This study aimed to promote competence, autonomy, and relatedness among first‐time whole blood donors to enhance intrinsic motivation and increase retention. Study design and methods Using a full factorial design, first‐time don…
View article: Evaluating blood donor experiences and barriers/facilitators to blood donation in the United States using <scp>YouTube</scp> video content
Evaluating blood donor experiences and barriers/facilitators to blood donation in the United States using <span>YouTube</span> video content Open
Background Understanding donor perception of the blood donation experience is central to maintaining an adequate blood supply. Studies that use questionnaires to assess barriers/facilitators to donation may be influenced by response bias. …
View article: Use of U.S. Blood Donors for National Serosurveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies: Basis for an Expanded National Donor Serosurveillance Program
Use of U.S. Blood Donors for National Serosurveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies: Basis for an Expanded National Donor Serosurveillance Program Open
Introduction The REDS-IV-P Epidemiology, Surveillance and Preparedness of the Novel SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic (RESPONSE) seroprevalence study conducted monthly cross-sectional testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies on blood donors in six U.S. metropo…
View article: Characteristics of coronavirus disease 19 convalescent plasma donors and donations in the New York metropolitan area
Characteristics of coronavirus disease 19 convalescent plasma donors and donations in the New York metropolitan area Open
Background Convalescent plasma (CP) is an important initial treatment in pandemics and the New York (NY) metropolitan area is likely to remain a hotspot for collection and distribution of such units. This study reports characteristics of c…
View article: High-resolution mapping and characterization of epitopes in COVID-19 patients
High-resolution mapping and characterization of epitopes in COVID-19 patients Open
Fine scale delineation of epitopes recognized by the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection will be critical to understanding disease heterogeneity and informing development of safe and effective vaccines and therapeutics. The Serum Epi…
View article: Prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in healthy blood donors in New York
Prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in healthy blood donors in New York Open
Despite the high level of morbidity and mortality worldwide, there is increasing evidence for asymptomatic carriers of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. We analyzed blood specimens from 1,559 healthy blood donors, collected in the greater …
View article: Recently acquired infection among <scp>HIV</scp>‐seropositive donors in the <scp>US</scp> from 2010‐2018
Recently acquired infection among <span>HIV</span>‐seropositive donors in the <span>US</span> from 2010‐2018 Open
Background Monitoring of transfusion‐transmissible infections in the blood supply is essential for blood safety, as the donor population is not static, and changes in policy, donor behavior, or other factors could increase the risk of reci…
View article: Use of a rapid electronic survey methodology to estimate blood donors' potential exposure to emerging infectious diseases: Application of a statistically representative sampling methodology to assess risk in US blood centers
Use of a rapid electronic survey methodology to estimate blood donors' potential exposure to emerging infectious diseases: Application of a statistically representative sampling methodology to assess risk in US blood centers Open
Background Risk assessments of transfusion‐transmitted emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are complicated by the fact that blood donorsʼ demographics and behaviors can be different from the general population. Therefore, when assessing po…
View article: HIV incidence in US first-time blood donors and transfusion risk with a 12-month deferral for men who have sex with men
HIV incidence in US first-time blood donors and transfusion risk with a 12-month deferral for men who have sex with men Open
In 2015, the US Food and Drug Administration published revised guidance that recommended a change in blood donor deferral of men who have sex with men (MSM) from an indefinite to a 12-month deferral since the donor last had sex with a man.…
View article: HIV antiretroviral therapy and prevention use in US blood donors: a new blood safety concern
HIV antiretroviral therapy and prevention use in US blood donors: a new blood safety concern Open
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treat and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection are effective tools to help end the HIV epidemic. However, their use could affect HIV transfusion-transmission risk. Three different ART/PrE…
View article: Donor glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency decreases blood quality for transfusion
Donor glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency decreases blood quality for transfusion Open
BACKGROUNDGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency decreases the ability of red blood cells (RBCs) to withstand oxidative stress. Refrigerated storage of RBCs induces oxidative stress. We hypothesized that G6PD-deficient donor R…
View article: Transfusion-Transmitted Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Mice Leads to Broad Tissue Tropism With Severe Placental Damage and Fetal Demise
Transfusion-Transmitted Zika Virus Infection in Pregnant Mice Leads to Broad Tissue Tropism With Severe Placental Damage and Fetal Demise Open
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy can cause significant problems, particularly congenital Zika syndrome. Nevertheless, the potential deleterious consequences and associated mechanisms of transfusion-transmitted ZIKV infection on…