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Blood Apr 2019Blood transfusion is the most common procedure completed during a given hospitalization in the United States. Although often life-saving, transfusions are not risk-free.... (Review)
Review
Blood transfusion is the most common procedure completed during a given hospitalization in the United States. Although often life-saving, transfusions are not risk-free. One sequela that occurs in a subset of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion recipients is the development of alloantibodies. It is estimated that only 30% of induced RBC alloantibodies are detected, given alloantibody induction and evanescence patterns, missed opportunities for alloantibody detection, and record fragmentation. Alloantibodies may be clinically significant in future transfusion scenarios, potentially resulting in acute or delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions or in difficulty locating compatible RBC units for future transfusion. Alloantibodies can also be clinically significant in future pregnancies, potentially resulting in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. A better understanding of factors that impact RBC alloantibody formation may allow general or targeted preventative strategies to be developed. Animal and human studies suggest that blood donor, blood product, and transfusion recipient variables potentially influence which transfusion recipients will become alloimmunized, with genetic as well as innate/adaptive immune factors also playing a role. At present, judicious transfusion of RBCs is the primary strategy invoked in alloimmunization prevention. Other mitigation strategies include matching RBC antigens of blood donors to those of transfusion recipients or providing immunomodulatory therapies prior to blood product exposure in select recipients with a history of life-threatening alloimmunization. Multidisciplinary collaborations between providers with expertise in transfusion medicine, hematology, oncology, transplantation, obstetrics, and immunology, among other areas, are needed to better understand RBC alloimmunization and refine preventative strategies.
Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Blood Group Incompatibility; Erythrocyte Transfusion; Erythrocytes; Humans; Isoantibodies; Transfusion Reaction
PubMed: 30808636
DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-08-833962 -
Blood Apr 2019Blood transfusions are life-saving therapies; however, they can result in adverse events that can be infectious or, more commonly, noninfectious. The most common... (Review)
Review
Blood transfusions are life-saving therapies; however, they can result in adverse events that can be infectious or, more commonly, noninfectious. The most common noninfectious reactions include febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions, allergic transfusion reactions, transfusion-associated circulatory overload, transfusion-related acute lung injury, and acute and delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. These reactions can be asymptomatic, mild, or potentially fatal. There are several new methodologies to diagnose, treat, and prevent these reactions. Hemovigilance systems for monitoring transfusion events have been developed and demonstrated decreases in some adverse events, such as hemolytic transfusion reactions. Now vein-to-vein databases are being created to study the interactions of the donor, product, and patient factors in the role of adverse outcomes. This article reviews the definition, pathophysiology, management, and mitigation strategies, including the role of the donor, product, and patient, of the most common noninfectious transfusion-associated adverse events. Prevention strategies, such as leukoreduction, plasma reduction, additive solutions, and patient blood management programs, are actively being used to enhance transfusion safety. Understanding the incidence, pathophysiology, and current management strategies will help to create innovative products and continually hone in on best transfusion practices that suit individualized patient needs.
Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Blood Component Transfusion; Blood Group Incompatibility; Disease Management; Graft vs Host Disease; Humans; Transfusion Reaction
PubMed: 30808635
DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-10-833988 -
Hematology. American Society of... Dec 2020Platelets express ABO antigens and are collected in plasma, which contains ABO antibodies as would be consistent with the donor ABO group. Platelet ABO antigens that are... (Review)
Review
Platelets express ABO antigens and are collected in plasma, which contains ABO antibodies as would be consistent with the donor ABO group. Platelet ABO antigens that are incompatible with recipient ABO antibodies may have accelerated clearance from circulation and result in lower count increments. ABO antibodies that are passively transferred from donor plasma may result in hemolysis of recipient red blood cells. Although platelets do not express Rh antigens, they contain small numbers of intact red blood cells or fragments, which can lead to alloimmunization in the recipient. Alloimmunization to the RhD antigen may occur when platelets obtained from RhD-positive donors are transfused to RhD-negative recipients. All of these compatibility considerations must be balanced against the available supply, which may be limited due to the 5- to 7-day shelf life of platelets. This articles describes considerations for platelet ABO and RhD selection for platelet transfusions, including the impact of major ABO incompatibility on count increments, the risks of hemolysis associated with minor ABO incompatibility, and the risk of RhD alloimmunization when RhD-negative patients receive platelets obtained from RhD-positive donors.
Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Blood Group Incompatibility; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching; Erythrocytes; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Platelet Transfusion; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; Transfusion Reaction
PubMed: 33275681
DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2020000135 -
American Journal of Hematology Jul 2012The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) is a laboratory test that detects immunoglobulin and/or complement on the surface of red blood cells. The utility of the DAT is to... (Review)
Review
The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) is a laboratory test that detects immunoglobulin and/or complement on the surface of red blood cells. The utility of the DAT is to sort hemolysis into an immune or nonimmune etiology. As with all tests, DAT results must be viewed in light of clinical and other laboratory data. This review highlights the most common clinical situations where the DAT can help classify causes of hemolysis, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia, transfusion-related hemolysis, hemolytic disease of the fetus/newborn, drug-induced hemolytic anemia, passenger lymphocyte syndrome, and DAT-negative hemolytic anemia. In addition, the pitfalls and limitations of the test are addressed. False reactions may occur with improper technique, including improper washing, centrifugation, and specimen agitation at the time of result interpretation. Patient factors, such as spontaneous red blood cell agglutination, may also contribute to false results.
Topics: Adult; Anemia, Hemolytic; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital; Blood Group Incompatibility; Coombs Test; Hemolysis; Humans; Infant, Newborn
PubMed: 22566278
DOI: 10.1002/ajh.23218 -
Romanian Journal of Morphology and... 2022Next to A and B antigens, agglutinogen D exhibits the highest immunogenicity. Following the transfusion of D-positive red blood cells (RBCs), almost 80% of D-negative... (Review)
Review
Next to A and B antigens, agglutinogen D exhibits the highest immunogenicity. Following the transfusion of D-positive red blood cells (RBCs), almost 80% of D-negative recipients develop anti-D antibodies (Abs). Subsequently, anti-D immunization further promotes the synthesis of Abs towards other blood group antigens in or outside the Rh system. The D antigen is also involved in 95% of cases of hemolytic disease of the newborn. Transfusions, hemotherapy, grafts, and obstetric history (abortions, ectopic pregnancy, births) are all risk factors for Rh isoimmunization. In the case of ABO compatibility between mother and fetus, Rh-positive fetal RBCs that have reached the maternal bloodstream are not destroyed by group agglutinins, and Rh antigenic sites are not hidden by the maternal immune system. But a Rh-negative mother with a homozygous Rh-positive husband will certainly have a Rh-positive fetus. As it has an irreversible evolution, the Rh isoimmunization once installed cannot be influenced in the sense of decreasing the Ab titer, therefore, injectable globulin has no effect. A particular case was that of a newborn with Rh system incompatibility associated with hereditary spherocytosis The clinical balance at birth reflects the severe jaundice of the female newborn of 3140 g, gestational age 38∕39 weeks, extracted by lower-segment transverse Caesarean section, with a double loop nuchal cord, Apgar score 8. Because the jaundice was severe and atypical (face and upper chest), we considered the possibility of coexistence of hemolytic disease of the newborn by Rh blood group incompatibility associated with hereditary spherocytosis, as it turned out to be true and mentioned. Changes in genes encoding proteins in the structure of the RBC membrane have amplified hemolysis induced by maternal-fetal isoimmunization in the Rh system. Massive hemolysis accentuated by congenital spherocytosis, confirmed later, imposed blood transfusion and dynamic monitoring.
Topics: Blood Group Incompatibility; Cesarean Section; Female; Hemolysis; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Jaundice; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Rh Isoimmunization
PubMed: 36074689
DOI: 10.47162/RJME.63.1.26 -
Current Opinion in Pediatrics Oct 2016ABO-incompatible (ABOi) heart transplantation (HTx) in young children has evolved from an experimental approach to a standard allocation option in many countries.... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
ABO-incompatible (ABOi) heart transplantation (HTx) in young children has evolved from an experimental approach to a standard allocation option in many countries. Clinical and immunological research in ABOi transplantation has revealed insight into the immature immune system and its role in superior graft acceptance in childhood and antigen-specific tolerance.
RECENT FINDINGS
Multicenter experience has confirmed equal actuarial survival, freedom from rejection, and graft vasculopathy comparing ABOi with ABO-compatible HTx. Observations of reduced antibody production and B-cell immunity toward the donor blood group have been confirmed in long-term follow-up. Mechanisms contributing to tolerance in this setting involve the interplay between B-cells and the complement system and the development of B-cell memory. Better characterization of the ABH polysaccharide antigens has improved diagnostic methods and clinical assessment of blood group antibodies. Boundaries regarding age, immune maturity, and therapeutic interventions to extend the applicability of ABOi HTx have been explored and resulted in data that may be useful for HTx patients beyond infancy and ABOi transplantation of other organs. Tolerance of ABH antigens possibly extends to HLA response.
SUMMARY
The review provides insight into the clinical evolution of ABOi HTx and associated immunologic discoveries. Current experiences and boundaries are discussed together with recent and potential future developments for utilization in other patient and age groups.
Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Blood Group Incompatibility; Child; Child, Preschool; Graft Rejection; Graft Survival; Heart Transplantation; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Transplantation Tolerance
PubMed: 27379804
DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000398 -
British Journal of Haematology Apr 2020The Serious Hazards of Transfusion haemovigilance scheme has documented adverse transfusion incidents for 22 years. Transmission of infection (three in 2018),...
The Serious Hazards of Transfusion haemovigilance scheme has documented adverse transfusion incidents for 22 years. Transmission of infection (three in 2018), transfusion-related lung injury (one in 2018) and transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (none since 2012) are rare. Despite national recommendations, guidelines and protocols, most incidents more than 85% of incidents are still due to errors in the transfusion process. European regulation and mandatory competency assessments have been associated with a reduction in ABO-incompatible transfusion, but errors continue to put patients at risk. What can be done? Errors are reduced by the use of electronic identification systems. Exploration of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) results in amended approaches away from blaming individuals to a full review of the systems and environment. Research examining how transfusion is performed (work-as-done) compared to work-as-imagined (set out in protocols and guidelines) discovers where variability results in either resilience or error. All staff require HFE training, but this should be alongside employment of suitably qualified and experienced HFE professionals. Good teamwork is key and is undermined by insufficient staffing and poor morale. The five choosing wisely recommendations for transfusion (to ensure appropriate use) need to be widely disseminated to medical staff in all specialties to ensure patients participate in the decision-making.
Topics: Blood Group Incompatibility; Blood Safety; Humans; Transfusion Reaction
PubMed: 31792932
DOI: 10.1111/bjh.16256 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Jan 2000Invasive techniques such as amniocentesis and cordocentesis are used for diagnosis and treatment in fetuses at risk for anemia due to maternal red-cell alloimmunization.... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
Noninvasive diagnosis by Doppler ultrasonography of fetal anemia due to maternal red-cell alloimmunization. Collaborative Group for Doppler Assessment of the Blood Velocity in Anemic Fetuses.
BACKGROUND
Invasive techniques such as amniocentesis and cordocentesis are used for diagnosis and treatment in fetuses at risk for anemia due to maternal red-cell alloimmunization. The purpose of our study was to determine the value of noninvasive measurements of the velocity of blood flow in the fetal middle cerebral artery for the diagnosis of fetal anemia.
METHODS
We measured the hemoglobin concentration in blood obtained by cordocentesis and also the peak velocity of systolic blood flow in the middle cerebral artery in 111 fetuses at risk for anemia due to maternal red-cell alloimmunization. Peak systolic velocity was measured by Doppler velocimetry. To identify the fetuses with anemia, the hemoglobin values of those at risk were compared with the values in 265 normal fetuses.
RESULTS
Fetal hemoglobin concentrations increased with increasing gestational age in the 265 normal fetuses. Among the 111 fetuses at risk for anemia, 41 fetuses did not have anemia; 35 had mild anemia; 4 had moderate anemia; and 31, including 12 with hydrops, had severe anemia. The sensitivity of an increased peak velocity of systolic blood flow in the middle cerebral artery for the prediction of moderate or severe anemia was 100 percent either in the presence or in the absence of hydrops (95 percent confidence interval, 86 to 100 percent for the 23 fetuses without hydrops), with a false positive rate of 12 percent.
CONCLUSIONS
In fetuses without hydrops that are at risk because of maternal red-cell alloimmunization, moderate and severe anemia can be detected noninvasively by Doppler ultrasonography on the basis of an increase in the peak velocity of systolic blood flow in the middle cerebral artery.
Topics: Blood Flow Velocity; Blood Group Incompatibility; Cordocentesis; Erythroblastosis, Fetal; Erythrocytes; Female; Fetal Blood; Gestational Age; Hemoglobins; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Isoantibodies; Middle Cerebral Artery; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Prospective Studies; ROC Curve; Reference Values; Rh Isoimmunization; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 10620643
DOI: 10.1056/NEJM200001063420102 -
Fertility and Sterility Mar 2017Now as before, there's controversy in the field of immunoreproduction.
Now as before, there's controversy in the field of immunoreproduction.
Topics: ABO Blood-Group System; Abortion, Habitual; Blood Group Incompatibility; Female; Fertility; Histocompatibility; Humans; Infertility, Female; Pregnancy; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 28104243
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.12.010 -
Anaesthesia Jan 2015Understanding the complex immunological consequences of red cell transfusion is essential if we are to use this valuable resource wisely and safely. The decision to... (Review)
Review
Understanding the complex immunological consequences of red cell transfusion is essential if we are to use this valuable resource wisely and safely. The decision to transfuse red cells should be made after serious considerations of the associated risks and benefits. Immunological risks of transfusion include major incompatibility reactions and transfusion-related acute lung injury, while other immunological insults such as transfusion-related immunomodulation are relatively underappreciated. Red cell transfusions should be acknowledged as immunological exposures, with consequences weighed against expected benefits. This article reviews immunological consequences and the emerging evidence that may inform risk-benefit considerations in clinical practice.
Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Blood Group Incompatibility; Blood Preservation; Erythrocyte Transfusion; Erythrocytes; Graft vs Host Disease; Humans; Isoantigens; Leukocyte Reduction Procedures
PubMed: 25440393
DOI: 10.1111/anae.12892