RESUMO
Background. ß-Thalassemia is a common inherited hemolytic disorder in Palestine. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is the principal treatment but it may cause RBC alloimmunization. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and characteristics of RBC alloimmunization among thalassemic patients in northern governorates of Palestine. Methods. A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted in the thalassemia transfusion centers in the northern governorates of Palestine. The study included 215 thalassemia patients who received regular blood transfusions. Clinical and transfusion records of patients were examined. Antibody screening and identification was conducted using the microcolum gel technique. Results. Two hundred fifteen patients were included in the study. More than half (52.1%) of the patients were males. The median age of patients was 18 years (range: 12-24 years). The most frequent blood group was A (40.5%). Alloantibodies were detected in 12.6% of patients. Anti-D (33.3%), anti-K (25.9%) and anti-E (14.8%) were the most commonly isolated antibodies. There was no association between age, sex, starting age of transfusion, number of transfused units, history of splenectomy and alloimmunization. Conclusions. Anti-Rh and anti-K antibodies were common among this cohort of patients. Age, sex, starting age of transfusion, number of transfused units, and history of splenectomy could not predict the occurrence of alloimmunization.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Red blood-cell transfusion has greatly reduced the mortality and morbidity in multiply transfused patients with thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. However, this can result in red blood-cell isoimmunisation with autoantibodies and alloantibodies, which can lead to serious complications such as delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and types of alloantibodies in multiply transfused patients living in the north of the West Bank. METHODS: This pilot study was done at three thalassaemia centres in Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm in the occupied Palestinian territory where 300 patients with thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia regularly receive blood transfusions. Alloantibody screening and identification were done using three-cell and eleven-cell panels (DiaPanel, Bio-rad, Switzerland) respectively. Ethical approval was obtained from Institutional Review Board Centre at Najah University. Written consent was obtained from participants. FINDINGS: 131 patients were enrolled. Of the 20 (15%) patients with alloantibodies, 14 (70%) were diagnosed with ß-thalassaemia major, three (15%) were diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia, two (10%) were diagnosed with thalassaemia intermedia, and one (5%) was diagnosed with sickle cell thalassaemia. 13 (65%) patients had alloantibodies that belonged to the Rh blood group system (nine [45%] patients had anti-D; two [10%] had anti-E; one [5%] had anti Rh-C; and one [5%] had anti-c). Anti-Kell was found in seven (35%) patients. INTERPRETATION: Our data showed a quite high prevalence of alloimmunisation in multiply transfused patients. Rh and Kell blood group system antibodies were the only alloantibodies identified in this study. To reduce alloimmunisation, it will be essential to introduce a policy for extended red blood-cell phenotyping of these patients and for the issuing of antigen-matched blood (at least for Rh and Kell antigen). FUNDING: Najah National University.
