Leucocyte antibodies in blood donors and a look back on recipients of their blood components

Abstract

The role of leucocyte antibodies in donors is poorly understood in pathogenesis of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). We examined antibodies in donors and traced recipients transfused with their blood components. Antibodies were examined in 1043 donors by five methods, look back performed in 26 recipients. Anti-human leucocyte antigen detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 9.8% women but none in men. Specificities identified using FlowPRA, antibodies detected after several months. TRALI reported in one recipient from immunized donor. In 11 of 26 recipients without TRALI, cognate antigens were identified. Detection of antibodies in donors cannot predict TRALI, even in recipients with cognate antigen(s).