Incidence of Red Blood Cell Alloantibody Formation after Platelet Concentrate Transfusions

Park, Hee Sue; Shin, Kyeong Seob; Son, Bo Ra

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In platelets transfusion, alloimmunization against the HLA and HPA antigen present in the white blood cells/platelets of the donor blood occurred. In addition, unexpected red blood cell alloantibodies might be produced by the alloimmunization of red blood cells antigens in the transfused platelet component. Therefore, this study examined the incidence of red blood cell alloantibodies after platelet transfusion.
METHODS
From January to December 2018, adult patients who requested platelet concentrates or single donor platelets were enrolled. The results of pre/post-transfusion test, including antibody screening test and antibody identification test, were collected the incidence of red blood cell alloantibody formation was then analyzed, retrospectively.
RESULTS
A total of 685 patients received 11,894 units of platelet concentrates and 1,402 units of single donor platelets. The median patient age was 64 years and the number of blood transfusions was 4.1. The amount of transfusion per session was 7.3 units, and the total transfused platelet concentrates was 30.9 units. New red blood cell alloantibodies were detected in 0.9% of all patients, and the identification results were observed as unidentified non-specific antibody in 66.7% and anti-E antibodies in 33.3%. The incidence of alloantibody was proportional to the frequency and amount of platelet transfusion.
CONCLUSION
This paper reported the incidence of red blood cell alloantibody after platelet transfusion for the first time in Korea. Although matched platelet concentrates supply may be not practical in terms of cost-effectiveness, it may be useful to recognize the possibility of red blood cell alloimmunization and expand the understanding of extended matching transfusion.