title: Red cell alloimmunization in multi-transfused chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis.
abstract: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are frequently used in the management of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing hemodialysis for dialysis-related anaemia. Consequently, they are subject to all hazards associated with repeated transfusions, such as red cell alloimmunization. A retrospective study was performed to estimate the frequency of alloimmunization against red cell antigens in multitransfused CRF patients. A total of 81 patients (67 males & 14 females) with CRF were studied who received a mean of 8.5 units of RBC matched for ABO & Rh(D) antigens only. Using standard techniques (indirect antiglobulin test, enzyme, polyethylene glycol, and low ionic strength solution), we observed a RBC alloimmunization rate of 9.8% (8/81). Nine alloantibodies were detected in 8 patients, and most (88%) involved antigens in the Rhesus & Kell systems. No correlation was observed with the alloantibody formation & number of units transfused. The calculated risk of 1.3% observed in the present study, suggests that renal failure patients are not at a higher risk of red cell alloimmunization than the general population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D007518:Isoantibodies