RBC alloimmunization and double alloantibodies in thalassemic patients.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Alloimmunization is a common consequence of chronic blood transfusion. Double alloantibody production may complicate the condition of such patients especially for finding matched blood. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of alloantibodies in thalassemic patients with previous history of transfusion reactions.

SAMPLES AND METHODS:

This study was performed on 441 multiply transfused thalassemia patients Antibody screening test was carried out using three cell-panel by gel method. Positive patients were followed up for antibody identification using 11-cell panel. Direct combs' test was performed to detect auto antibodies.

RESULTS:

In a total of 441 cases (362 thalassemia major and 79 intermedia), 234 were males (53.1%) and 207 females (46.9%); mean age 22 years, range 3-61 years. Alloimmunization was detected in 50(11.3%) patients, including 37(74%) patients with one alloantibody, 8(16%) with two antibodies, 4(8%) patients with unknown antibodies and one patient (2%) with autoantibody. The most common alloantibodies were anti-Rh antibodies (-E/e/C/c/Cw) (26%), anti-K (28%), anti-D (16%), and anti-Colton (4%). Double antibodies were detected in eight out of 50 patients, including: Anti-D+anti-C (8%), anti-D+anti-E (2%), anti-Kell+anti-D (2%), and anti-Kell+KPa (2%). A significant association was observed between the transfusion reaction history and the alloantibody detection results (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Antibody production against RBC antigens makes hard condition in regular blood transfusion. Double antibodies production may more complicate this situation. Thus, it is advisable to phenotype patients and matches the red cells in multiply transfused thalassemia patients.

• Authors: Azita Azarkeivan, Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi, Sima Zolfaghari, Mojgan Shaiegan, Shirin Ferdowsi, Negar Rezaei, Parvin Lotfi
• Journal: Hematology (Amsterdam, Netherlands) (Hematology) Vol. 20 Issue 4 Pg. 223-7 (May 2015) ISSN: 1607-8454 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25130935 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Isoantibodies

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Blood Transfusion
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Erythrocytes (immunology)
• Female
• Humans
• Isoantibodies (analysis, blood, immunology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Thalassemia (blood, immunology, therapy)
• Transfusion Reaction
• Young Adult