Abstract
The development of antibodies against red blood cell (RBC) antigens is one of the most significant adverse effects of chronic blood transfusions. This study aimed to estimate the frequency and causes of RBC immunization in patients with major thalassemia. The findings could help determine the limitation of current practices and help future developments in the selection of suitable blood units for the transfusion support of patients with thalassemia. The alloimmunization rate was detected in 52 of 650 patients with major thalassemia (8%). The most frequent antibodies were against K (50%), D (26%), and E (15.4%). Sex, age, and splenectomy did not have any impact on the immunization rate. Immunization was lower in patients who had received only leuko-reduced blood units. It is recommended that antibody screening before the first transfusion and extended RBC matching particularly for the most frequent antigens (ABO/Rh/Kell) should be performed for patients with thalassemia.
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