title: Use of leucocyte-poor blood components and HLA-matched-platelet donors to prevent HLA alloimmunization.
abstract: Recent studies have shown that the incidence of alloimmunization due to repeated platelet transfusions from random donors may be reduced by the use of leucocyte-poor blood components. These results were confirmed by this study, where 16% of patients with acute leukaemia undergoing initial chemotherapy and receiving leucocyte-poor blood components developed lymphocytotoxic antibodies, compared with 48% of patients in a control group receiving standard (non-leucocyte-depleted) blood components. In a third group, who received leucocyte-poor blood components and HLA-matched platelets, none of the patients developed lymphocytotoxic antibodies. There was a low incidence of platelet-specific antibodies (8%) but no difference between the three groups. Improved methods of removing leucocytes from blood components appear to offer the best approach for minimizing HLA alloimmunization, as the provision of HLA-matched platelet donors for prophylactic platelet support of all patients is not feasible.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens