title: A UK single-centre survey of red cell antibodies in adult patients undergoing liver transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Red cell antibodies may complicate blood provision and liver transplantation outcome. The aim of this survey was to document red cell antibodies in adults undergoing liver transplantation and make recommendations for clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  We completed a 10-year retrospective review of adults undergoing liver transplant, in a single UK centre using 4- to 6-weekly red cell antibody screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven hundred and thirty seven patients were reviewed: 58 (7·9%) had antibodies. In 50 (6·8%) patients, the antibodies were clinically significant, and the commonest were Rhesus (49·5%) and Kell (11%). 33 patients had a single antibody, and the rest had multiple antibodies (range 2-5). Two-thirds of patients (38) had antibodies at presentation; 22% of these developed additional antibodies while on the waiting list or postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consideration should be given to the proactive use of Rh- and K-typed blood in end-stage liver disease in order to reduce alloimmunization. In addition, regular antibody screening would enable staff to identify those with atypical antibodies and plan their transfusion support.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mushkbar
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Doughty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies
keywords: antibodies; liver transplant; transfusion