by Joe Chaffin | Mar 21, 2016
Glossary Prothrombin Complex Concentrate Better known as “PCC,” this is a purified, sterilized concentrate of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X. It is very important to recognize that all PCCs are equal! Until 2013, only two...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 21, 2016
Glossary Reactive In blood donor screening tests, this is a term that is used instead of “positive” when a donor’s sample tests in a manner suggestive of infection. For example, when testing for anti-HCV, we would say that a donor was...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 22, 2016
Glossary T Activation T activation is the most common acquired polyagglutination, especially in children and infants. It is caused by removal of portions of glycophorin A and B chains on the surface of the red blood cell with exposure of “cryptantigens.”...
by Joe Chaffin | Mar 22, 2016
Glossary Teratogen Any substance that can interfere with the normal development of a fetus. Teratogens can result in a spectrum of findings ranging from malformations all the way to intrauterine fetal demise. In blood banking, we primarily worry about teratogens when...
by Joe Chaffin | Jun 9, 2016
Glossary Daratumumab One of two medications used for multiple myeloma treatment that is really just an antibody! Daratumumab (“DARA” for short) is simply a monoclonal antibody against a cell protein called “CD38.” CD38 is particularly abundant...
