title: Alloantibodies to glycoprotein La/LLa (anti-HPA-5a and -5b) and IIb/IIIa (anti-HPA1a, -3a and -4a) in Nigerian parous women.
abstract: Human platelet antibodies are often implicated in conditions such as neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and platelet refractoriness; however, the frequency of such alloantibodies has not been reported in Nigeria and West Africa. A cross section of apparently healthy adult female staff at a tertiary health facility in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, was screened for alloantibodies to human platelet antigens (HPA) using the GTI PakPlus qualitative solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Among the 100 women screened, no anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (anti-HPA-Ia,-3a and -4a) antibodies were detected; however, prevalence of anti-glycoprotein Ia/IIa (anti-HPA-5b) was 30% and pf anti-glycoprotein Ia/IIa (anti-HPA-5a) was 18%. Parity had a significant influence on the development to HPA antibodies (Fisher's Exact test: 11.683, P < 0.05; 13.577, P < 0.01). Platelet count did not have an influence on the development of antibodies (P > 0.05). Clearly, there is need to initiate platelet serology in this setting and also a need to educate women about the risk associated with frequent pregnancies. Furthermore, caution should be exercised when recruiting parous women as blood donors
authors.affiliation: Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. zacjerry@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Jeremiah
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Oburu
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Erhabor
authors.forename: F I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Buseri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet / Q000276:immunology*; D044383:Black People; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010298:Parity / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014930:Women
chemical_list: D016824:Antigens, Human Platelet; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007518:Isoantibodies