Red blood cell alloimmunisation and autoimmunisation in transfusion dependent beta thalassemics from Southern India

Mohammed Saleem E. K.; Soundarya Mahalingam; Shamee Shastri; Kamalakshi G. Bhat

doi:10.1055/s-0040-1703903

Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU 2015; 05(03): 004-008
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1703903

Original Article

Red blood cell alloimmunisation and autoimmunisation in transfusion dependent beta thalassemics from Southern India

Mohammed Saleem E. K.

¹Senior Resident, Department of Pediatrics, MES Academy of Medical Sciences, Kerala University of Health Sciences, Kerala

,

Soundarya Mahalingam

²Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, KMC, Mangalore, Manipal University, Manipal

,

Shamee Shastri

³Associate Professor, Department of Immunohematology and Blood transfusion, KMC, Manipal University, Manipal

,

Kamalakshi G. Bhat

⁴Professor Department of Pediatrics, KMC, Mangalore, Manipal University, Manipal

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

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Abstract

The development of red blood cell (RBC) isoimmunization with alloantibodies and autoantibodies complicate transfusion therapy in multiply transfused thalassemia patients. We conducted a study to analyse the frequency in our population. Clinical and antibody profile from 55 multiply transfused thalassemic patients who were receiving transfusions were collected and analyzed prospectively. A commercially available 3 cell antigen panel was used for the antibody screening procedure. If antibody screening with the 3-cell antigen panel was positive, an extended 11-cell antigen panel was used for antibody identification in LISS (Low Ionic Strength Solution). All patients received blood matched for only ABO and Rh (D) antigens. A total of 55 transfusion dependent â thalassemics were included in this study out of which 30 (54.55%) were males and 25(45.45%) females with a male to female ratio of 1.2: 1. Frequency of red cell alloimmunization in this study was found to be 1.8%. None of the patients developed red cell autoimmunization. The alloantibody identified in the the patient who developed alloimmunisation was was anti-K. In conclusion, the transfusion of matched blood is essential for chronically transfused beta thalassemia patients in order to avoid alloimmunization.

Keywords

alloimmunisation - beta thalassemia major - transfusion

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References

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