Hypothesis: hemolytic transfusion reactions represent an alternative type of anaphylaxis.
Classical anaphylaxis is the most severe, and potentially fatal, type of allergic reaction, manifested by hypotension, bronchoconstriction, and vascular permeability. Similarly, a hemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR) is the most feared consequence of blood transfusion. Evidence for the existence of an alternative, IgG-mediated pathway of anaphylaxis may be relevant for explaining the pathophysiology of IgG-mediated-HTRs. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence for this alternative pathway of anaphylaxis and to present the hypothesis that an IgG-mediated HTR is one example of this type of anaphylaxis.
Hod
Eldad A
EA
Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Sokol
Set A
SA
Zimring
James C
JC
Spitalnik
Steven L
SL