Prevalence of immunoglobulin A deficiency in Chinese blood donors and evaluation of anaphylactic transfusion reaction risk.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/AIMS:

We investigated the incidence of immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency in Chinese population.

BACKGROUND:

The frequency of IgA deficiency, defined as a serum IgA level of <0.05 mg dL(-1) , has been broadly studied in different ethnic groups. Individuals with IgA deficiency may form specific antibodies against IgA, which can cause an anaphylactic response when the patient receives an IgA-containing blood transfusion.

METHODS:

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to screen for IgA deficiency and particle gel immunoassay used for confirmation. IgA antibodies were further detected by the DiaMed anti-IgA test in IgA-deficient blood donors.

RESULTS:

Of the total 22,609 healthy blood donors screened, only seven cases were confirmed as having IgA deficiency (<0.05 mg dL(-1) ). Another seven cases displayed relative IgA deficiencies, with mean IgA concentrations ranging from 0.39 to 3.70 mg dL(-1) . Anti-IgA was identified in 2 of the 14 IgA-deficient blood donors whose IgA levels were <5 mg dL(-1) . Estimation of the theoretical risk for IgA anaphylactic transfusion reaction was 0.009%.

CONCLUSION:

The prevalence of IgA deficiency in Chinese is low. However, potential risks exist in performing blood transfusion to IgA-deficient persons, and measures should be taken to reduce IgA anaphylaxis.

• Authors: M L Feng, Y L Zhao, T Shen, H Huang, B Yin, R Z Liu, K C Qian, D-Z Liu
• Journal: Transfusion medicine (Oxford, England) (Transfus Med) Vol. 21 Issue 5 Pg. 338-43 (Oct 2011) ISSN: 1365-3148 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21658139 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2011 The Authors. Transfusion Medicine © 2011 British Blood Transfusion Society.

Chemical References

• Isoantibodies

Topics

• Anaphylaxis (epidemiology, etiology, prevention & control)
• Asian People
• Blood Donors
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Humans
• IgA Deficiency (diagnosis, epidemiology, immunology)
• Isoantibodies (blood)
• Mass Screening
• Prevalence
• Transfusion Reaction