Malmö Microbiology Biobank

Name of biobank:

Malmö Microbiology Biobank

General Information:

The Biobank contains the samples submitted to the Department of Clinical Microbiology at MAS University Hospital in Malmö, where saving of a part of the sample has been necessary for clinical diagnostic and documentation purposes. The majority of the samples are serum samples that have been submitted for diagnosis of blood-borne viral infections (such as hepatitis viruses) (Over 400.000 samples).
 
A particularly valuable part of the cohort is the samples stored after the population-based serological screening for virus infections and rubella immunity during pregnancy. These samples are scheduled to be taken during week 14 of pregnancy and virtually all pregnant women in the population participate in this screening program. This part of the cohort contains about 100.000 samples.

The population served is currently the entire region of Skåne, where the Dept. of Clinical Microbiology currently is the only clinical virus laboratory in Skåne. The oldest samples are from 1969. The oldest samples that are still stored are derived form the greater Malmö area. From 1986, samples from most of Skåne are still stored. There is also a large number of samples submitted from the adjacent counties in southern Sweden, notably Blekinge.

Responsible organisation:

Region Skåne (County Council of Skåne)

Responsible principle scientist:

Professor Joakim Dillner is currently chairman of the Steering Group that handles all scientific matters. Clinical and administrative responsibility rests with the head of the Department, Lena Dillner.

Rules for acess:

An application should be sent to the chairman of the Steering Group. Please contact the department secretary for instructions and forms.

Biobank content:

1. When last counted (2001-12-31) the biobank contained 674908 samples from 329192 unique individuals. The number of samples grows by about 40000 samples per year.
    
2. Almost all samples are serum samples and almost all of them have had an original volume of 1 milliliter.
    
3. The storage temperature is at minus 20 degrees.
    
4. Investigators contemplating amplification-based methods should be aware that in the 1960:ies and 1970:ies disposable pipettes and tips may not always have been used.
    

Attached database:

Yes The clinical database contains the clinical information provided on the referral sheet as well as the results of the requested virus analyses. Registry linkages based on the personal identification number have been made regarding emigration, death and diagnosis of cancer.

As of 2000-12-31, 33188 subjects in the cohort had developed cancer and 22240 had died (from any cause). The distribution of prospectively occurring cancer cases is shown in the following TABLE.

Up to five selected publications:

• Widell A, Molnegren V, Pieksma F, Calmann M, Peterson J, Lee SR.
  Detection of hepatitis C core antigen in serum or plasma as a marker of hepatitis C viraemia in the serological window-phase.
  Transfus Med. 2002 Apr;12(2):107-13.
   
• Shev S, Bjorkman P, Norkrans G, Foberg U, Fryden A, Lindh G, Lindholm A, Weiland O, Widell A.
  GBV-C/HGV infection in hepatitis C virus-infected deferred Swedish blood donors.
  J Med Virol. 1998 Feb;54(2):75-9.
   
• Persson K, Mansson A, Jonsson E, Nordenfelt E.
  Decline of herpes simplex virus type 2 and Chlamydia trachomatis infections from 1970 to 1993 indicated by a similar change in antibody pattern.
  Scand J Infect Dis. 1995;27(3):195-9.
   

Role in The National Biobanking Programme:

Participates in the work towards improved quality assurance, Good Biobanking Practise.