The incidence of unexpected antibodies in blood products collected at a military donor center.
The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of unexpected antibodies in a population of Air Force personnel thought to be representative of the population involved in combat situations. Recipients of blood transfusions in combat situations may not be screened for the presence of unexpected (non-A, non-B) antibodies. The records of the Wilford Hall Medical Center/59th Medical Defense Wing Donor Center and Transfusion Medicine Laboratory were reviewed for the calendar years 1995 and 1996 to determine the frequency of unexpected antibodies in this center's donor population, the vast majority of whom are Air Force basic trainees. The frequency of unexpected antibodies in the basic trainee donor population was 4/10,000. Clinically significant antibodies were present in 2/10,000. Because this donor pool probably represents the potential population of combat casualties, this information is reassuring in assessing the risks associated with blood transfusion in combat situations.
Plumbley
J A
JA
59th Medical Wing, Department of Pathology, Lackland Air Force Base, TX 78236, USA.
Shelton
J B
JB
Bowlus
I N
IN
Ensign
B G
BG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013781:Texas; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies