Assessment of erythrocyte alloimmunization among patients treated at a Brazilian university hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Alloimmunization and transfusion reactions underscore the crucial role of precise immunohematological techniques to enhance safety in transfusion. This study aims to determine the frequency of alloimmunization in patients treated at a Brazilian university hospital, investigate demographic, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics of patients with positive irregular antibody screening, as well as to assess the frequency of erythrocyte antigens and anti-erythrocyte antibodies in the population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective observational study included all irregular antibody-positive patients treated at the transfusion service of Hospital de Clínicas of the Federal University of Uberlandia between January 2019 and December 2020. RESULTS: Of the 201 irregular antibody-positive patients, alloimmunization was more common in women (64.2%) than in men (35.8%). Blood groups A (39.8%) and O (38.8%), and Rh positive samples (69.1%) predominated, and about half (48.2%) of the patients were transfused for preoperative procedures. The most frequently found clinically significant alloantibodies were anti-D (27.2%), anti-E (15.0%), and anti-Kell (11.5%). Of the patients, 30.6% had multiple antibody associations, with anti-D and anti-C being the most common combination. Erythrocyte immunophenotyping was performed for 76 patients with the most frequent antigens detected being e (100%), c (86.8%), and C (40.8%). Among the 14 pregnant women evaluated, most were multiparous, 85.7% had anti-D as the most prevalent antibody, and had the A-negative blood type (33.3%). CONCLUSION: Alloantibody screening and identification associated with erythrocyte immunophenotyping are necessary for a better understanding of the alloimmunized population, ensuring greater safety and efficacy of transfusion therapy in the hospital setting.

Compreendendo o sentido de ser-com reações hansênicas: implicações para o cuidado de Enfermagem / Understanding the meaning of being with hansenic reactions: implications for nursing care / Comprender el significado de estar con reacciones hansénicas: implicaciones para el cuidado de enfermería

Objetivo: compreender o sentido de ser-com reações hansênicas. Método: Estudo alicerçado no método fenomenológico hermenêutico de Martin Heidegger, realizado a partir de 25 entrevistas individuais com pacientes em tratamento ambulatorial para reações hansênicas, em uma unidade de saúde especializada localizada no estado do Pará, Brasil. Resultados: Duas unidades temáticas foram organizadas: "Significando as reações hansênicas" e "Convivendo com as reações hansênicas". Para os participantes, viver com reações hansênicas significa dor, vergonha, desesperança, medo, incerteza e preocupações que transformam profundamente o cotidiano. O sentido de ser-com reações hansênicas se desvela quase sempre na impessoalidade, ambiguidade, curiosidade e na publicidade da vida, em que o ser-aí se vê a partir dos outros e não de si mesmo. Considerações finais: Este estudo proporciona conhecimentos importantes para o cuidado de enfermagem às pessoas que vivem com reações hansênicas, na medida em que compreender significados e sentidos é importante para impulsionar a prática de um cuidado de enfermagem sensível, empático e preocupado com o diálogo e com as necessidades do ser-aí no mundo, onde a cura se desvela nas práticas de cuidado com-o-outro e não para-o-outro. (AU)

Objective: To understand the meaning of being-with leprosy reactions. Methods: Study based on Martin Heidegger's hermeneutical phenomenological method, conducted from 25 individual interviews with patients undergoing treatment for leprosy reactions, in a specialized health unit located in the state of Pará, Brazil. Results: Two thematic units were organized: "Signifying leprosy reactions" and "Living with leprosy reactions". For the participants, living with leprosy reactions means pain, shame, hopelessness, fear, uncertainty and concerns that profoundly transform daily life. The sense of being-with leprosy reactions is almost always revealed in the impersonality, ambiguity, curiosity and publicity of life, in which the being-there is seen from other beings and not from oneself. Conclusion: This study provides important knowledge for nursing care to people living with leprosy reactions, as understanding meanings and senses is important to boost the practice of sensitive, empathic and concerned with dialogue and with nursing care. the needs of the being-there in the world, where the cure is revealed in the care practices with-the-other and not for the-other. (AU)

Objetivo: Comprender el significado de las reacciones de estar-con lepra. Métodos: Estudio basado en el método fenomenológico hermenéutico de Martin Heidegger, realizado a partir de 25 entrevistas individuales a pacientes en tratamiento ambulatorio por reacciones leprosas, en una unidad de salud especializada ubicada en el estado de Pará, Brasil. Resultados: Se organizaron dos unidades temáticas: "Significando reacciones leprosas" y "Viviendo con reacciones leprosas". Para los participantes, vivir con reacciones leprosas significa dolor, vergüenza, desesperanza, miedo, incertidumbre y preocupaciones que transforman profundamente la vida diaria. La sensación de ser-con reacciones leprosas se revela casi siempre en la impersonalidad, ambigüedad, curiosidad y publicidad de la vida, en la que el ser-allí se ve desde los demás y no desde uno mismo. Conclusion: Este estudio aporta conocimientos importantes para el cuidado de enfermería a las personas que viven con reacciones leprosas, ya que la comprensión de significados y sentidos es importante para impulsar la práctica de la sensibilidad, la empatía y la preocupación por el diálogo y el cuidado de enfermería. el mundo, donde la cura se revela en las prácticas de cuidado con el otro y no para el otro. (AU)

Prospective evaluation of immune haemolysis in liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Immune haemolysis in liver transplant (LT) can occur due to autoantibodies and alloantibodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for immune haemolysis in LT. METHODS: A total of 175 consecutive patients were included. Multiorgan recipients were excluded. Samples, from before LT, seven consecutive days and weekly for 4 weeks, were evaluated for haemolysis and immunohaematological tests. SPSS 24 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Nine patients (5·1%) presented positive antibody screen (AS) before LT, (2·3% clinically significant), more frequent in RhD-negative (P = 0·017). Positive DAT occurred in 53 (30·3%) and was related to high MELD score (P = 0·048), HCV (P = 0·005) and furosemide use (P = 0·001). Positive AS after LT occurred in 22 patients (12·5%), with nine (5·7%) clinically significant antibodies. Positive AS occurred more frequently in RhD negative (P = 0·021) and in those transfused (P = 0·022). Post-transplant positive DAT was associated with piperacillin-tazobactam use (P = 0·021) and minor ABO incompatibility (P = 0·0038). Five patients presented passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS), all received liver-graft O, four presented haemolysis, and three were transfused due to PLS. CONCLUSION: Auto- and alloantibodies against red blood cell antigens are frequent in LT, but the frequency of immune haemolysis was only 2·8%. The only risk factor for PLS was minor ABO mismatch.

Titers of ABO antibodies in group O blood donors.

BACKGROUND: Plasma components of group O blood donations are rarely submitted to ABO antibody titrations even though it is well known that passively acquired antibodies may destroy the recipient's own red cells and tissue grafts. OBJECTIVE: Thus, group O donations stratified by gender and age were randomly titrated to identify the best source of products for apheresis and exsanguinous transfusion. METHODS: Samples from 603 blood donors were tested by ABO antibody titration using the conventional tube technique at room temperature. ABO antibody levels higher than 64 were considered high. After correction for gender, statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Most donors in the blood bank were male (65.7%). ABO antibody titers ranged from 1 to 2048. The estimations of prevalence for the titers were: anti-A,B < 128 = 86.9% and = 128 = 2.16%; Anti-A = 128 = 9.29% and anti-B = 128 = 4.81%. Low mean titers for both anti-A and anti-B antibodies were found in over 50-year-old men (p-value = 0.040). High anti-B antibody levels were found in young women (p-value = 0.002). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that over 50-year-old O group men should be selected as blood donors in non-identical ABO transfusion situations. Also, titration of ABO antibodies in blood banks will increase safety in non-identical ABO transfusions.

Titers of ABO antibodies in group O blood donors

BACKGROUND: Plasma components of group O blood donations are rarely submitted to ABO antibody titrations even though it is well known that passively acquired antibodies may destroy the recipient's own red cells and tissue grafts. OBJECTIVE: Thus, group O donations stratified by gender and age were randomly titrated to identify the best source of products for apheresis and exsanguinous transfusion. METHODS: Samples from 603 blood donors were tested by ABO antibody titration using the conventional tube technique at room temperature. ABO antibody levels higher than 64 were considered high. After correction for gender, statistical analyses were performed using the Fisher exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Most donors in the blood bank were male (65.7 percent). ABO antibody titers ranged from 1 to 2048. The estimations of prevalence for the titers were: anti-A,B < 128 = 86.9 percent and > 128 = 2.16 percent; Anti-A > 128 = 9.29 percent and anti-B > 128 = 4.81 percent. Low mean titers for both anti-A and anti-B antibodies were found in over 50-year-old men (p-value = 0.040). High anti-B antibody levels were found in young women (p-value = 0.002). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that over 50-year-old O group men should be selected as blood donors in non-identical ABO transfusion situations. Also, titration of ABO antibodies in blood banks will increase safety in non-identical ABO transfusions.

Procedimientos para la detección e identificación de anticuerpos eritrocitarios / Procedures for the detection and identification of red cell antibodies

En Inmunohematología se ha desarrollado una amplia gama de procederes de detección e identificación de anticuerpos eritrocitarios in vitro, por lo cual se realiza una revisión de técnicas y métodos empleados con este objetivo, como son el método que utiliza eritrocitos pretratados con enzimas proteolíticas y las técnicas de Polibreno, que utiliza solución de baja fuerza iónica (LISS), la de antiglobulina indirecta, la de aglutinación en gel, la inhibición de la aglutinación, la hemólisis y la adherencia de eritrocitos en fase sólida. Se abordan los problemas que afectan a la reacción de aglutinación entre el antígeno y el anticuerpo; para una mejor comprensión la reacción de aglutinación se subdivide en su primera y segunda etapa. En la primera etapa los factores que se analizan son concentración de antígeno y anticuerpo, pH, temperatura, fuerza iónica y tiempo de incubación; en la segunda etapa la característica del anticuerpo, localización y número de sitios antigénicos, fuerzas que mantienen la distancia entre los eritrocitos, uso de la albúmina bovina, uso de enzimas, efecto de dosis y efecto de moléculas con carga positiva.

Awide range of procedures for the detection and identification of red cell antibodies in vitro has been developed in Immunohematology. Therefore, it is made a review of the techniques and methods used with this aim, such as the method using erythrocytes pretreated with proteolytic enzimes and the techniques of Polibreno that utilize low ionic force solution (LIFS), the indirect antiglobulin test, the gel agglutination test, the agglutination inhibition test, hemolysis and the solid phase erythrocyte adherence test. The problems affecting the agglutination reaction between the antigen and the antibody are also dealt with. The agglutination reaction is subdivided into its first and second phase for a better understanding. In the first phase, the antigen and antibody concentration, pH, temperature, ionic force and incubation time are analyzed. The characteristic of the antibody, localization and number of antigenic sites, forces maintaining the distance among the erythrocytes, use of bovine albumin, use of enzimes, dose effect and effect of molecules with positive charge are studied in the second phase.

[IgM Leptospira antibodies in acute infectious hepatitis cases in children]. / Anticuerpos IgM leptospirosicos en casos de hepatitis infecciosa aguda (HIA) en ninos.

PIP: 50 children under the age of 15 years were studied who had been hospitalized in two hospitals in the Dominican Republic with HIV diagnosed by the presence of biphasic hyperbilirubinemia and elevation of glutamic-pyruvic and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminases. The sera of the patients were examined for the presence of leptospirotic immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies by means of the enzymatic immunoassay method (UREASA-ELISA). The Leptospira-positive sera were also investigated for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and for the IgM antibody (ab) of the hepatitis A virus (ab-HAV) by ELISA. 5 cases were positive for IgM Leptospira antibodies (10%), not finding in this percentage the presence of HBsAg; 3 of the 5 Leptospira-positive samples demonstrated the presence of ab-HVA-IgM. Only 2 cases (4%) presented IgM Leptospira antibodies. Out of the 5 cases with IgM antibodies, males predominated (3/5). When compared to negative cases, however, there were more rural elements among them than in negative cases: regarding origins (10% vs. 16%), agricultural workers (40% vs. 20%), contact with cattle and fresh water (80% vs. 40%), and daily contact with humid soil in living quarters (60% vs. 48%). The clinical picture of the 5 positive cases featured myalgia (p = 0.05) and abdominal pain (p = 0.05). The stiffness of neck was relatively more frequent in positive cases (20%) than in negative cases (7%); also, fever (100% vs. 80%), vomiting (60% vs. 22%), headache (80% vs. 56%), constipation (20% vs. 9%), and hepatomegaly (100% vs. 71%). There was clear evidence that leptospirotic infection must be watched and also its association with acute infectious hepatitis.^ieng

Defective humoral immunity in pediatric acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Specific antibody production was assessed in six young children with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). All patients were immunized with bacteriophage phi X 174, a T cell-dependent neoantigen. In addition, antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccine and tetanus toxoid, lymphocyte responses to mitogens, and serum immunoglobulin levels were determined. Polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia was documented in three patients. Responses to bacteriophage phi X 174 were abnormal in all patients: primary responses were blunted, secondary responses were markedly decreased, and the class switch (IgM-IgG) was absent in five of six patients. Antibody formation to pneumococcal vaccine and tetanus toxoid was also diminished. Lymphocyte mitogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, and staphylococcal Cowan A were generally decreased. These findings confirm that pediatric patients with AIDS have significant abnormalities in humoral immunity. Dysfunction of both T cells and B cells plays a role in the resultant poor specific antibody production.