title: Immune complications associated with chronic transfusion.
abstract: Blood transfusion and component therapy are an integral part of treatment for patients with certain life-threatening illnesses. Any benefit derived from transfusion must be weighed against the potential risk for complications. Patients who are chronically transfused present a unique challenge to practitioners. The presentation will focus on alloimmunization to red blood cell antigens, platelet refractoriness, transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease, and cytomegalovirus infection. Prevention or management of these complications also will be discussed.
mesh_terms: D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D008134:Long-Term Care; D065227:Transfusion Reaction