The value of alloantibody detection in predicting response to HLA-matched platelet transfusions.
Alloantibody tests demonstrate immunological causes of insufficient increments in random platelet transfusions. The value of a positive or negative test result in predicting the outcome of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched transfusions in patients refractory to leucodepleted random platelet transfusions has not been assessed. We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of the first HLA-matched platelet transfusion in 72 patients with haematological diseases in two ways: first, the strategy according to which the patient was selected for HLA-matched platelet transfusions was analysed. The strategies were: (i) results of alloantibody tests were not available, (ii) a positive alloantibody test, (iii) a negative alloantibody test. Secondly, the outcome of the first HLA-matched transfusion was investigated relative to the results of alloantibody tests, irrespective of the decision strategy. No significant association was found between the decision strategy and the outcome of the first HLA-matched platelet transfusion. Positive alloantibody tests, however, predicted a better outcome of the first HLA-matched platelet transfusion (P = 0.04 and P = 0.03 after 1 and 16 h respectively). In patients refractory to random platelet transfusions, positive alloantibody tests predicted a better outcome of HLA-matched platelet transfusions. Patients with negative alloantibody tests, however, may benefit from HLA-matched platelet transfusions.
Levin
Mark-David
MD
Department of Haematology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Daniel den Hoed Cancer Centre, Groene Hilledijk 301, 3075 EA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. levin@xs4all.nl
Kappers-Klunne
Mies
M
Sintnicolaas
Kees
K
van der Holt
Bronno
B
van Vliet
Huub H D M
HH
Löwenberg
Bob
B
van't Veer
Mars B
MB
D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000379:methods; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D017713:Platelet Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006680:HLA Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies