Korean J Blood Transfus.  2023 Aug;34(2):118-124. 10.17945/kjbt.2023.34.2.118.

Transfusion of RhD-Positive Blood Products to Asia Type DEL Patients: A Report of Two Cases

• Lim G
• Yu SH
• Jeong IH
• Seo JY
• Yoo HJ
• Cho D

• KMID: 2545578
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17945/kjbt.2023.34.2.118

Abstract

Individuals with Asia type DEL blood group, the RhD-variant that classified as serologically RhD-negative, do not produce anti-D even when exposed to the D-antigen. Therefore, it is considered safe to transfuse RhD-positive blood products to them. However, such transfusions are still rare in medical institutions, with only two cases reported in Korea. Here, we present cases of two additional patients based on our experience. A 60-year-old female patient undergoing extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for myocarditis presented with severe anemia. The patient was serologic RhD-negative. Due to the lack of RhD-negative RBC inventory for emergency transfusion, RhD-positive blood was transfused. After confirming the patient’s RHD genotype as Asia type DEL, the planned RhD-positive blood transfusion was continued. A total of 13 units of RhD-positive RBCs and 26 units of single donor platelets (SDPs) were transfused over 25 days. Throughout this period, all unexpected antibody tests were negative. The second patient, a 50-year-old male diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), was serologic RhD-negative, and the RHD genotyping confirmed Asia type DEL. During the hospitalization period, a total of 113 units of RhD-positive SDPs and 10 units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) were transfused over 64 days, and all unexpected antibody tests were negative. These two cases suggest the transfusion of RhD-positive blood products to patients with Asia type DEL is safe.

Keyword

Asia type DEL; Transfusion; Anti-D; RHD genotype