title: Red cell alloimmunization in multitransfused patients and multiparous women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence of alloimmunization against red cell antigens and the thermal amplitude and specificity of antibodies in multitransfused patients and multiparous women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antibody screening was performed in 30 nontransfused orthopedic surgery cases (control), 504 multitransfused patients and 325 multiparous women. Antibody screening at 4°C, 22°C and 37°C was carried out in a saline phase, by indirect antiglobulin technique (IAT), using papain cystein, low ionic strength solution (LISS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In multitransfused patients IgM antibodies were more frequently detected at 4°C and the IgG antibody incidence was 7.1% by enzyme method, 7.7% IAT, 9.4% LISS, 10.2% using PEG & 10.2% multiparous women. Bad obstetric history cases had significantly higher incidence of alloimmunization. The antibody specificity of antibodies was mainly in Lewis, Rh, Kidd and MN systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antibody screening before transfusion, at set time intervals after transfusion and during antenatal period is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Surat Raktadan Kendra and Research Centre, 1st Floor, Khatodara Health Centre, Near Chosath Jogani Mata Temple Udhna Magdalla Road, Surat, 394 210 Gujarat India.
authors.forename: Jalada
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Rinku
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Snehalata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupte
keywords: Antibody specificity; Low ionic strength solution (LISS); Multiparous women; Multiple transfusions; Polyethylene glycol (PEG); Red cell alloimmunization; Thermal amplitude