February 20, 2020

Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is one of many rare diseases that can be treated using intravenous immune globulin (IVIg), a therapy that is manufactured from human plasma. This neuropathy is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and muscle wasting, and without regular IVIg treatments, a patient’s quality of life can decline. In today’s blog, we’ll be unpacking everything you need to know about multifocal motor neuropathy and how plasma donations play a vital role in treating this condition.

What are the Symptoms of Multifocal Motor Neuropathy?

Multifocal motor neuropathy is a disorder that occurs when the body’s motor nerves, the nerves that control muscles, are attacked by one’s own immune system. This makes it difficult for the body to send the electrical signals needed for controlled movement, which can result in the following symptoms occurring:

·  Weakness, cramping and/or twitching in the hands and arms.

·  Weakness, cramping and/or twitching that is more severe on one side of the body.

·  Wrist drop or foot drop.

·  Wasting (atrophy) of affected muscles.

Early symptoms typically start in specific parts of a person’s arm or hand, such as their wrist. Muscle atrophy is a symptom that occurs much later on in the course of the condition.

What are the Causes of Multifocal Motor Neuropathy?

The causes of MMN are not fully understood, but scientists have identified this condition as an autoimmune disease that is the result of an abnormal immune system response. Researchers are studying MMN in an effort to better understand the underlying causes of this disease.

How is Multifocal Motor Neuropathy Diagnosed?

Diagnosing a patient with MMN typically requires a physical exam as well as nerve and blood tests that entail the following:

·  A needle electromyography that uses electrodes that are placed in a patient’s arm to measure the electrical activity in their muscles.

·  A nerve conduction study in which two sensors are put overtop the skin of a nerve and small electric shocks are transmitted to measure how quickly electrical signals can travel through a patient’s nerves.

·  A blood test that specifically looks for GM1 antibodies, which is a part of the body’s immune system that some people with MMN have elevated levels of.

·  Evidence of a purely motor disorder that affects individual nerves

Doctors sometimes mistake MMN for ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. To minimize the chance of this happening, they also check to make sure that patients aren’t showing any signs of difficulty speaking or swallowing, there’s no indication of sensory deficits, and that upper motor neuron signs like swift reflexes at the knee aren’t present. 

How is Multifocal Motor Neuropathy Diagnosed?

Multifocal motor neuropathy is not a life-threatening disease, but it can slowly worsen over time and make daily tasks more strenuous. Intravenous immune globulin is a treatment manufactured from donated plasma that can improve a patient’s muscle strength.

IVIg is administered to MMN patients through an IV that is given every two to six weeks since the effects of the treatment wear off after a few months. Regular maintenance IVIg infusions typically make day-to-day life much more manageable for those living with MMN.

The important role donated plasma plays in treating multifocal motor neuropathy is just one example of what this miracle liquid is capable of and the effect it can have on the lives of individuals that have rare and chronic conditions. That’s why we’ve committed ourselves to collecting plasma that can be manufactured into lifesaving therapies at DB Plasma.

To contribute to a good cause and change the life of patients in need, book your next appointment at a DB Plasma centre near you. 

January 30, 2020

Donated source plasma, the yellowish liquid component of blood, is used exclusively to manufacture commercial drugs known as plasma products. These plasma products serve as lifesaving therapies for patients living with rare and chronic conditions. One such plasma product that is used to treat individuals that have immunodeficiency diseases is intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg).

First used in 1952 to treat primary immune deficiency diseases, a group of diseases that are characterized by compromised immune system function, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy has since become a plasma product that Canadians with immune system disorders rely on to boost their immunity and help their body fight off potentially fatal infections. Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

Conditions IVIg Can Treat

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy is used to treat a whole host of conditions that cause a patient’s immune system to be compromised. Some of these conditions include:

• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
• Chronic lymphocytic lymphoma
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Immune deficiencies like immune thrombocytopenic purpura
• Kawasaki disease
• Lupus
• Myositis
• Multifocal motor neuropathy
• Neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis
• Other rare and chronic diseases

The Important Role of Plasma in IVIg

Lifesaving intravenous immunoglobulin therapy treatments would not be possible without plasma donations. Immunoglobulin is a component of blood plasma that contains important antibodies needed to fight infections and disease. To make effective immunoglobulin therapy treatments, the pooled antibodies of thousands of donors are needed since a diverse collection of antibodies better equip individuals to fight off the plethora of foreign substances their body may encounter.

Donors are thoroughly screened to ensure the plasma they are donating is healthy. Once the immunoglobulin is acquired from the blood plasma of donors it is then tested for infectious diseases and purified before it is safely administered as a therapy.

How IVIg Works

As its name suggests, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy is a form of intravenous treatment that is infused into the veins of the recipient. It is used to replace antibodies that a patient’s own immune system should be making and is usually necessary for a patient’s lifetime.

Every three to four weeks, patients living with immune system disorders need to be administered IVIg treatment to keep their immune system strong since roughly half of the infused antibodies get metabolized in this time period. Healthcare professionals use a sterile needle to access a patient’s vein then let the immunoglobulin flow from a bag into a tube in their arm for about two to four hours.

Most patients feel their best immediately after IVIg treatment as this is when the highest amount of immunoglobulin is in their body. Some side effects of this treatment may include muscle or joint aches, a mild fever, or headaches just after the infusion, though most individuals tolerate the treatment extremely well.

There you have it, everything you need to know about the wonder drug that is intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. This lifesaving plasma product has been helping people with rare conditions lead healthy and productive lives for over well over 60 years now and it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. To donate your plasma and change the lives of patients in need for the better, book your next appointment at DB Plasma today.

November 21, 2019

Plasma is a healing liquid packed with lifesaving proteins that can be used to treat a whole host of diseases. Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs) are a group of diseases that are characterized by compromised immune system function and can be treated via immunoglobulin therapies made from human plasma. If you’ve ever been curious about what happens to your plasma post-donation and the conditions this blood component can treat, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about primary immunodeficiency diseases and how plasma is used as a treatment for patients with these disorders. 

What Types of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Are There?

There are more than 300 diseases that fall under the PIDD category and, depending on the part of the immune system affected, these conditions can cause acute or recurrent infections. Some of the most common primary immunodeficiency diseases include: agammaglobulinemia, Ataxia-telangectasia, chronic granulomatous disease, complement deficiencies, DiGeorge syndrome, selective IgA deficiency, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy, and Winscott-Aldrich syndrome.

What Causes of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases?

PIDDs are inherited genetic disorders that are passed down from one or both parents. Mutations in a patient’s genetic code cause the immune system defects that characterize these diseases. PIDDs are present at birth, but they may be diagnosed in infancy, childhood or adulthood depending on the severity of the disease.

What are the Symptoms of Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases?

The most common sign of primary immunodeficiency diseases are frequent infections that last longer than normal and are difficult to get rid of. Opportunistic infections, infections that healthy individuals typically aren’t susceptible to, are also an indication of PIDDs. Other signs and symptoms of the disorder include:

• Autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus
• An enlarged spleen
• Blood disorders
• Digestive issues
• Recurring sinusitis, pneumonia, and ear infections
• Recurring abcesses on the skin and/or organs
• Stunted growth and/or weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes

How are Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Treated?

In most PIDD cases, the body produces too few immunoglobulins, the proteins that help immune cells recognize and neutralize micro-organisms, or none whatsoever. As such, the most effective treatment for PIDDs is immunoglobulin replacement therapies. Immunoglobulin therapies are created from purified human plasma that is donated from healthy donors. Immunoglobulin is administered either intravenously or subcutaneously as an infusion. Treatments are regularly given to patients with PIDDs, and they effectively control their infections and improve overall quality of life.

At DB Plasma, we wholeheartedly believe in the healing powers of plasma and its ability to treat immune system disorders like PIDDs. That’s why we’ve devoted ourselves to collecting quality plasma from healthy donors at our donation centres. Book your next appointment today to contribute to the creation of lifesaving therapies.

October 25, 2019

Plasma donation exists so that life-saving plasma therapies can be created from this protein-rich liquid. Ever since the healing properties of plasma were discovered many moons ago, it has been used as a starting material in the manufacturing of commercial drugs known as plasma products. Here’s everything you need to know about the drugs that can be manufactured from blood plasma.

How Blood Plasma Is Made Into Manufactured Drugs

The process of taking source plasma from donors and turning it into a product that can be used safely is highly complex and takes a total of 7-12 months. After plasma is collected from donors through automated apheresis, it is thoroughly tested and held in inventory for at least 60 days to allow for the revival and destruction of donations that cannot be used.

Donated plasma that is deemed eligible for the manufacturing of therapies is broken down into individual proteins via a process called “fractionation”. During this process, a combination of heat treatments, chemical cleaners, pasteurization, filtration, and acid treatments are used to effectively remove any viruses or contaminants. Product samples are then tested once more before they are released.

Types of Blood Plasma Products

1. Albumin

Albumin is a water-soluble protein that is produced by the liver and circulates in plasma, making up a total of half of the protein content in this liquid. Medicinal albumin is made from source plasma that is heated to inactivate disease-causing agents. It helps to increase levels of albumin in the blood and overall plasma volume, making it an ideal treatment for fluid loss in burn patients, trauma patients, and transplant recipients.

2. Clotting Factors

This replacement therapy is typically used to replace missing blood clotting factors for individuals that have bleeding disorders like Hemophilia. Clotting factor concentrates are injected into veins and help to normalize blood clotting, which prevents unwanted bleeding episodes that can result in severe blood loss and complications. (Note: In Canada, it’s more common for Hemophilia patients to be treated using recombinant products that are made from recombinant DNA technology in a lab.)

3. Immune Globulins

This category of drugs has the highest demand of all plasma products. Immune globulin (Ig) products are pooled from plasma collected from various donors and contain antibodies that can effectively treat immune disorders and severe infections. Ig products are usually administered intravenously as a replacement therapy.

The true healing properties of plasma are still being discovered, and we have just scratched the surface when it comes to the ways in which plasma can be used. There will certainly be new plasma manufactured drugs created as we discover more about this liquid’s healing properties. While plasma has yet to be explored in its entirety, one thing’s for sure, the demand for plasma is here to stay.

To make a difference in the life of someone living with an autoimmune condition or autoimmune deficiency, book your next DB Plasma appointment today.

September 20, 2019

The human body is an incredible organism that is capable of performing fascinating feats. Plasma, the clear, straw-coloured liquid portion of blood, is one part of our bodies that is particularly intriguing when it comes to the body’s ability to heal itself.  In fact, the healing properties of blood plasma have been found to be so effective that this blood component is now frequently used to accelerate the healing process from injuries including animal bites and burns. Here’s everything you need to know about how plasma is used to treat injuries from everyday accidents.

What’s In Blood Plasma?

Before getting into the logistics of how plasma treatments work, it’s important to first establish what exactly is contained in this liquid. Plasma, which makes up a total of 55% of your total blood volume, is mainly composed of water (a total of 90% by volume). Human plasma also contains glucose, mineral ions, hormones, carbon dioxide, clotting factors, and dissolved proteins.

The contents of plasma make it a great transporting medium for cells and a variety of other substances that are essential to bodily function, but it gets its healing properties mainly from the proteins contained within it. Plasma proteins help heal wounds via a metabolic process that supports tissue repair.

How Blood Plasma Is Used To Treat Injuries

Blood plasma has been used in the healthcare industry for some time now, but doctors and scientists continue to discover and improve upon the healing powers of this state of matter. The most common treatment method used to heal tissue with plasma is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

During platelet-rich plasma therapy, concentrations of a patient’s own platelets that have been collected via a centrifuge are injected into injured areas. Activated platelets play a vital role in the body’s natural healing process and they have proven to be particularly effective at treating animal bites, burns, and pediatric HIV. Once concentrated platelets have been injected into injured tissue, growth factors that stimulate and increase the quantity of reparative cells produced by your body are released. 

Other Uses of Blood Plasma

The healing powers of plasma aren’t just used to treat everyday injuries; this vital liquid is also used to treat a host of autoimmune conditions and immune deficiencies. In order to treat immunodeficiency diseases, plasma needs to be manufactured into lifesaving medicines. However, unlike the plasma treatments used to cure everyday injuries, the medicines used to treat those with immune deficiencies rely on a donor supply.

At DB Plasma, we wholeheartedly believe in the healing properties of plasma, which is why we’ve dedicated ourselves to creating lifesaving therapies for those in need. With that said, we can’t create these medicines on our own and donor plasma is an absolutely essential component of this process. Book your next appointment today and make a difference in someone’s life.

July 19, 2019

Plasma is a yellow liquid component of blood that contains life-saving proteins. The proteins in plasma can help treat a number of rare autoimmune diseases. One such disease is alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency.

In today’s blog, we’ll be unpacking everything you need to know about alpha-1 and the important role plasma plays in treating this disease.

What Are the Causes of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder that is passed down from parents to children when both parents carry abnormal genes. An alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency occurs when mutations in the SERPINA1 gene, a gene that provides instructions for making alpha-1 antitrypsin proteins, occur.

The alpha-1 protein is essential to good health as it protects the body from neutrophil elastase, a powerful enzyme that gets released from white blood cells to fight infection. When neutrophil elastase is not controlled by alpha-1, it can attack normal tissues.  

What Are the Symptoms of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency?

Symptoms and signs of alpha-1 can vary greatly among individuals. Some people living with the condition get their first symptoms in childhood, while others don’t experience any symptoms until they are 60 years old. The organs that are most commonly affected by AAT deficiency are the liver, lungs, and skin.

Here are the symptoms those with an alpha-1 deficiency may experience according to affected organs:

• Liver: Fatigue, swelling of belly or legs, loss of appetite and weight loss, jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin or eyes), blood in stool, and/or vomiting blood.
• Lungs: Numerous lung infections, excessive coughing and phlegm production, wheezing, shortness of breath, and/or low energy.
• Skin: Painful lumps under skin that are warm to the touch.

An alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may eventually cause liver disease or lung disease.

How is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Diagnosed?

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is typically diagnosed by a doctor that will check for signs your lungs aren’t working correctly and ask about other common symptoms of the disease. A blood test that checks for mutations in the SERPINA1 gene and levels of protein in the bloodstream is needed to confirm an AAT deficiency diagnosis.

How is Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Treated?

There is no cure for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, but the disease can be managed via augmentation therapy (or “replacement therapy”). In augmentation therapy, plasma from healthy donors is used to increase levels of alpha-1 in the blood and lungs of those who have the condition. Plasma protein is administered through intravenous infusion on a weekly basis.

The goal of augmentation therapy is to slow or stop damage to affected organs. The therapy cannot reverse damage already incurred, but it can improve quality of life. Alphas have to undergo these treatments throughout the rest of their life.

The importance of having enough plasma to treat those living with conditions like alpha-1 cannot be emphasized enough. More than 900 plasma donations are required each year to treat one Alpha-1 patient. At DB Plasma, we do everything in our power to provide the plasma needed for these lifesaving treatments. Not only do our donors leave our centres with the satisfaction of knowing they’ve saved a life, they are also compensated for their time.

Book your next appointment today!