Abstract
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been reported in hemophiliacs as well as other patients who have received blood products. In order to examine whether other patients who have received chronic transfusions are similarly at risk, we compared lymphocyte subsets and in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis among five study groups. These groups were (1) 10 patients chronically transfused for sickle cell disease (CT-SCD); (2) 21 patients with SCD who have not received regular transfusions; (3) 8 patients splenectomized for hematologic problems; (4) 8 patients who have received chronic transfusions for other refractory anemias; and (5) 27 normal adults. The results are depicted below: In vitro IgM and IgG synthesis was not depressed compared to normals. Based on these studies it appears that the transfusion of packed RBC does not produce an AIDS-like picture. The observation of decreased T cell proportions in SCD may be related to functional asplenia as similar changes were seen in splenectomized patients.
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