Red Blood Cell Antibodies in Hematology/Oncology Patients: Interpretation of Immunohematologic Tests and Clinical Significance of Detected Antibodies.
Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a cornerstone of the management of patients with hematology/oncology disorders. However, a potentially deleterious consequence of transfusion is the development of alloantibodies against blood group antigens present on RBCs. Such alloantibodies can be an obstacle in providing compatible units for transfusion. Providers in this arena must fully understand the testing performed by blood banks, as well as the consequences of detected antibodies. This article reviews immunohematologic tests, describes how autoimmune hemolytic anemia is classified by autoantibodies; outlines RBC alloimmunization rates, and presents strategies to prevent/mitigate the impact of RBC alloimmunization.
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. Electronic address: jeanne.hendrickson@yale.edu.
Jeanne E
JE
Hendrickson
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
Christopher A
CA
Tormey
D000744:Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001771:Blood Banks; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies
Alloimmunization; Blood banking; Compatibility testing; Hematology/oncology disorders; Immunohematology; Red blood cell alloantibodies; Red blood cell autoantibodies