Evaluation of anti-A and anti-B IgM and anti-AB IgG antibody titers in Group O blood Iraqi donors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Blood group O is transfused as a universal blood group in emergencies. The red cells of blood Group O possess no major ABO antigens, while the blood Group O plasma contains naturally occurring IgM anti-A and anti-B and cross-reacting IgG anti-AB antibodies. Thus, the transfusion of blood Group O units may cause marked destruction of the recipients' A or B red cells manifested as severe acute hemolytic transfusion reactions owing to potent ABO hemolytic antibodies.OBJECTIVES: This study was done to estimate the titers of anti-ABO antibodies in Group O blood donors and to suggest a possible scheme to introduce as a routine testing for high ABO antibodies' titers in blood Group O donors in Iraqi blood transfusion centers.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred blood Group O Iraqi healthy blood donors (192 males and 8 females, age range: 18–59) were chosen to evaluate the titer of ABO antibodies (IgM and IgG) in their serums using tube test.RESULTS: The prevalence of high-titer anti-A and anti-B IgM antibody at 1:50 dilution in this study was 98.5% and 97.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalence of high-titer anti-AB IgG measured by dithiothreitol and 2-mercaptoethanol method of at least 50 was 63% and 74%, respectively (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of high-titer anti-A and anti-B IgM and IgG antibodies among blood Group O Iraqi donors. The detection of IgG antibodies is more practical by using dithiothreitol method as it needs much shorter incubation time; however, 2-ME is more sensitive. Detection of high-titer anti-A IgM antibody in dangerous universal donors, by immediate spin at 1:50 dilution, can be used alone in practice, replacing the need to use all portfolio of tests of anti-ABO antibodies.