Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Front Immunol 2020 9;11:905. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Transfusion Medicine and Cellular Therapies, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.

Anti-factor VIII (fVIII) alloantibodies, which can develop in patients with hemophilia A, limit the therapeutic options and increase morbidity and mortality of these patients. However, the factors that influence anti-fVIII antibody development remain incompletely understood. Recent studies suggest that Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) may facilitate recognition and uptake of fVIII by recently developed or pre-existing naturally occurring anti-fVIII antibodies, providing a mechanism whereby the immune system may recognize fVIII following infusion. Read More

Transfusion 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Fundação Hemominas/Minas Gerais Hemocenter, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are used in sickle cell disease (SCD) to treat acute complications or as chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) to prevent severe manifestations. The objectives of this study were to describe blood utilization and adverse events (AEs) associated with RBCs in the Brazilian SCD population and compare characteristics of patients treated or not with CTT.

Study Design And Methods: A SCD cohort was established at six Brazilian centers. Read More

Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi 2020 Jun;28(3):961-966

Department of Blood Transfusion, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China,E-mail:

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the identification results of irregular antibodies, to clarify the distribution features and to explore the relation of alloantibodies and autoantibodies with the immunized history of patients and disease kinds.

Methods: 49 820 patients who applied for red blood transfusion during Sep 1st 2017 to Sep 1st 2018 were selected. All the specimens were screened for the antibody by microcolumn gel antiglobulin technique, which then were identified for irregular antibody. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2020 Feb 27:102745. Epub 2020 Feb 27.

Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China; Key Laboratory of Transfusion Adverse Reactions, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China. Electronic address:

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association among 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes TLR3, IL17F, ERAP1 and ERAP2 with anti-E alloantibody production.

Background: Anti-E alloantibodies can lead to clinically significant delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTRs) and hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Some individuals produce anti-E alloantibodies post- transfusion. Read More

A A Pract 2020 Jun;14(8):e01234

From the Department of Anesthesiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.

Preoperative treatment of anemia with intravenous iron is inconsistent despite known risks of anemia and allogeneic blood transfusions. Limited research exists on the effectiveness of preoperative intravenous iron for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We discuss a patient with severe anemia from advanced CKD, endometrial cancer, and menometrorrhagia. Read More

Ann Hematol 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Comprehensive Center of Thalassemia, Hemoglobinopathies & Rare Anemias, Institute of Hematology, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.

Patients with beta thalassemia major (TM) are transfusion-dependent (TD) since early childhood and for life. Development of alloantibodies and autoantibodies against red blood cell (RBC) antigens is increasingly recognized as a significant transfusion hazard, especially among heavily transfused patients. The aim of this study is to assess RBC alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates in TD TM patients treated in our Comprehensive Center of Adult Thalassemia, Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias. Read More

Transfusion 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Background: The AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee (CTMC) compiles an annual synopsis of the published literature covering important developments in the field of transfusion medicine (TM) for the board of director's review. This synopsis is now made available as a manuscript published in TRANSFUSION.

Study Design And Methods: CTMC committee members review original manuscripts including TM-related topics published in different journals between late 2018 and 2019. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2020 May 13:102808. Epub 2020 May 13.

Department of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, 5th Floor, ASHA Building, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Traditionally, sensitizing events such as previous pregnancies, previous transfusions and prior transplants result in the production of anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antibodies. However, it has been observed that, anti-HLA antibodies have been detected in many patients with no prior history of sensitizing events. This retrospective study analysed the most recent 100 consecutive Single Antigen Bead (SAB) assay results performed on 100 patients. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2020 Apr 27:102778. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Yale University, Department of Laboratory Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States; Yale University, Department of Pediatrics, New Haven, CT, United States. Electronic address:

Background: People living with sickle cell disease (SCD) are prone to red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization. We hypothesized that subjects with alloantibodies (responders) would have differences in circulating T-follicular helper (Tfh)-like cells compared to subjects without alloantibodies (non-responders).

Materials And Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 28 subjects, including those with SCD and controls. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2020 May 11:102807. Epub 2020 May 11.

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

Weak D types 1, 2, 3 and Asia type DEL (RHD 1227 G > A) can be treated as D-positive for purposes of Rho(D) immune globulin (RhIG) administration or selection of blood components for transfusion. To confirm these D variants, RHD genotyping can be used as a complementary to serologic tests. While ruling out weak D types 1,2,3 is useful in Caucasian populations, these are extremely rare in the Asian population, while Asia type DEL is relatively common. Read More

Hemoglobin 2020 Jan;44(1):31-36

Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran.

The best approach for prevention of alloimmunization in β-thalassemia (β-thal) patients is perfect matching of all red blood cell (RBC) antigens associated with clinically significant antibodies, but this is expensive and may limit the blood supply. Knowing the most common alloantibodies in transfusion-dependent β-thal patients make it possible to establish more cost-effective matching strategies for high-risk antigens. With this in mind, we intended to determine the most common alloantibodies in different parts of Iran. Read More

HLA 2020 May 10. Epub 2020 May 10.

Department of Medical Research, E-DA Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Anti-"Mi " is the most frequent irregular RBC antibody in Taiwan due to high prevalence of Miltenberger antigens. Dialysis patients, a special patient group that needs frequent transfusions of RBCs, may have the greatest risk for developing anti-"Mi " antibodies. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between specific HLA-DRB1 alleles and Mi alloimmunization among dialysis patients. Read More

Eur J Immunol 2020 May 7. Epub 2020 May 7.

Etablissement Français du Sang, Ile-de-France, France.

Patients may display alloimmunization following transfusion. Microparticles (MPs) released into the blood are present in transfusion products. We show that MPs can modulate the immune system, CD4 T-cell, and humoral responses, through their concentration, cellular origin and phenotype, and should therefore be considered to reduce the immune impact of transfusion. Read More

Transfus Med Hemother 2020 Apr 6;47(2):152-159. Epub 2019 Aug 6.

Morphology Department, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.

Introduction: Alloimmunization is caused by exposure to erythrocytes from a donor that expresses blood group antigens other than those of the recipient and is related to processes that alter the balance of the immune system. Knowing the pathophysiology of alloimmunization process is essential to understand clinical complications associated with this process.

Patients And Methods: From October 2016 to April 2017, irregular antibody screening was performed in 1,434 polytransfused (compatible with the ABO and D system) patients by means of agglutination techniques using erythrocytes of a known phenotype of 44 patients with a positive alloantibody screening. Read More

Transfus Med Hemother 2020 Apr 27;47(2):129-134. Epub 2019 Jun 27.

Héma-Québec, Medical Affairs and Innovation, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Background: The level of residual red blood cells (RBCs) in platelet concentrates (PCs) is of interest because of clinical concerns related to alloimmunization to RBC antigens in transfused patients. This work aims at characterizing and quantifying the levels of intact and fragmented RBCs in apheresis (AP-PCs) and buffy coat PCs (BC-PCs) to assess their potential risk for RhD antigen alloimmunization.

Methods: After staining with anti-CD41 (platelets) and anti-CD235a (RBCs) antibodies, the size and density of RhD antigen on intact and fragmented RBCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Read More

Immunohematology 2020 Jan;36(1):19-28

Senior Scientific Officer, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Jaypee Hospital, Noida, India.

Conclusions: Despite known use of antibody screening (AS), it has not been adopted uniformly across blood centers in India. Many centers in India are currently using a type and hold policy with subsequent antihuman globulin (AHG) crossmatch when blood units are requested. The main aim of this study was to assess the benefits of a type and screen (TS) policy in which blood grouping and AS are performed simultaneously during the first hospital visit. Read More

Turk J Haematol 2020 Apr 22. Epub 2020 Apr 22.

Hellenic National Blood Transfusion Center, Athens, Greece.

Objective: Blood transfusion is a common lifesaving treatment but it is often complicated with alloimmunization. Previously studies in Greece have concentrated on alloimmunization in multiply transfused thalassemic patients or antenatal women. However the relative frequency of RBC alloantibodies in the general patient population has not been studied so far. Read More

Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2020 Apr-Jun;63(2):241-246

Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

Background: For appropriate management of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), it is important to detect irregular red cell antibody in the antenatal period. Though it is a simple one-step method, it is not part of routine antenatal screening in many developing countries. To reiterate the importance of antenatal antibody screening, we have assessed the frequency and clinical significance of irregular red cell antibodies in our patient population. Read More

Ci Ji Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Apr-Jun;32(2):167-170. Epub 2019 Apr 2.

Department of Transfusion Medicine, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

Objectives: Rhesus (Rh) blood group with variable expression of D antigen is one of the complex systems in immunohematology. Weak D antigen is a phenotype where the D antigen is weakly expressed on red blood cells, and this antigen cannot be detected by routine methods. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of Rh D negativity and weak D antigen among healthy blood donors and to review the clinical significance of weak D antigen pertaining to Rh D-negative transfusions. Read More

Blood 2020 May;135(22):1983-1993

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.

Polyclonal anti-D (Rh immune globulin [RhIg]) therapy has mitigated hemolytic disease of the newborn over the past half century, although breakthrough anti-D alloimmunization still occurs in some treated females. We hypothesized that antiviral responses may impact the efficacy of immunoprophylaxis therapy in a type 1 interferon (IFN)-dependent manner and tested this hypothesis in a murine model of KEL alloimmunization. Polyclonal anti-KEL immunoprophylaxis (KELIg) was administered to wild-type or knockout mice in the presence or absence of polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid (poly[I:C]), followed by the transfusion of murine red blood cells (RBCs) expressing the human KEL glycoprotein. Read More

Vox Sang 2020 Apr 6. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Wing-Kwai and Alice Lee-Tsing Chung Transfusion Service, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

Background: Warm autoantibodies (WAA) are antibodies that react with an antigen on a patient's own red-blood-cells and can complicate compatibility testing whether or not they cause clinical haemolysis. The goal of this study was to understand the overall prevalence of WAA, the risk of RBC alloimmunization and determine whether RBC selection practices have an impact on alloimmunization.

Materials And Methods: Records of patients (>1 year of age) with an indirect antibody detection test (IAT) and serologic evidence of WAA over a 10-year-period were included. Read More

Blood Cells Mol Dis 2020 Jul 31;83:102425. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Disease Center, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Background: Regular transfusions are the gold standard therapy for β-thalassemia and are often complicated by secondary-iron overload and alloimmunization. We assessed the frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the levels of cytokines implicated in Th-responses in 49 patients 33 TDT and 16 NTDT in order to investigate the contribution of transfusion and its complications on immune responses.

Materials And Methods: Tregs were characterized with flow cytometry. Read More

Vox Sang 2020 Mar 23. Epub 2020 Mar 23.

Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California, USA.

Background And Objectives: Alloimmunization targeting major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens is common following platelet transfusion. Pathogen reduction of platelets can block alloimmunization to MHC in mice and induce partial antigen-specific tolerance to subsequent transfusions. This study utilized small allelic variants to evaluate the relative contributions of class I and class II MHC to the alloresponse against untreated or pathogen-reduced platelets. Read More

Adv Hematol 2020 18;2020:3482124. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

National Blood Center, Yangon 11131, Myanmar.

Background: Red cell Rhesus (Rh) antigen expression is influenced by the genetic polymorphism of and genes and reveals serologically different reactions of RhD variants such as partial D, weak D, and Rh-Del. Serologically, Rh-Del type can only be detected by an adsorption-elution technique, and it might be mistyped as Rh-negative. The prevalence of Rh-Del has not been reported yet in Myanmar. Read More

Haematologica 2020 Apr 5;105(4):888-894. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO, USA

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is an autosomal recessive disorder of platelet aggregation caused by quantitative or qualitative defects in integrins αIIb and β3. These integrins are encoded by the and genes and form platelet glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa, which acts as the principal platelet receptor for fibrinogen. Although there is variability in the clinical phenotype, most patients present with severe mucocutaneous bleeding at an early age. Read More

Transfusion 2020 Feb;60 Suppl 1:S15-S21

Blood Transfusion Services, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Blood transfusion is the first-line treatment for patients with thalassemia and many sickle cell patients. However, cases of unregulated blood transfusion are shown to carry a high risk of alloimmunization to red blood cells (RBCs), which can lead to a hemolytic transfusion reaction and be fatal to patients. Screening and identification of alloantibodies are, therefore, essential practice in blood transfusion services. Read More

J Clin Apher 2020 Jun 28;35(3):224-226. Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Rh immune globulin (RhIG) may be administered to Rh(D)-negative recipients of Rh(D)-positive platelet (PLT) transfusions to mitigate anti-D alloantibody formation. We report a series of seven patients in which anti-C was detected as a result of RhIG administered as immunoprophylaxis following Rh-mismatched apheresis PLT transfusion, persisting for a range of 27 to 167 days post-RhIG. The passively transferred anti-C antibodies created complexities for subsequent transfusion support. Read More

Transfus Med Hemother 2020 Feb 17;47(1):88-93. Epub 2019 May 17.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: DEL, the weakest D variant, is mistyped as D-negative by routine serological assays. Transfusion of red blood cells expressing the DEL phenotype has the potential to elicit anti-D alloimmunization in D-negative recipients. The goal of this study was to recommend DEL typing strategies for serologically D-negative Asian donors. Read More

Transfus Med Hemother 2020 Feb 8;47(1):33-44. Epub 2020 Jan 8.

Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Background: Exposure to non-matching human platelet alloantigens (HPA) may result in alloimmunization. Antibodies to HPA can be responsible for post-transfusion purpura, refractoriness to donor platelets, and fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. For the supply of compatible apheresis platelet concentrates, the HPA genotypes are determined in a routine manner. Read More

Acta Clin Belg 2020 Feb 22:1-4. Epub 2020 Feb 22.

Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.

: Refractoriness to platelet transfusion is defined as Corrected Count Increment (CCI) <5000 after two sequential ABO identical transfusions. Immune causes include alloimmunization to HLA and/or platelet-specific antigens. Analysis of various factors leading to platelet refractoriness would help in the management of the patient in a timely manner. Read More

Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2020 7;2020:9283438. Epub 2020 Feb 7.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.

Intrauterine transfusion is the standard antenatal treatment for a fetus with severe anemia. Plasmapheresis is an alternative treatment for cases with a history of severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborns at less than 20 weeks of gestation. There is only one previous report of plasmapheresis for the anti-M alloimmunization in pregnancy, and we report here on the successful treatment of plasmapheresis for anti-M alloimmunization. Read More

Vox Sang 2020 May 20;115(4):334-338. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Background And Objectives: D-negative patients are at risk of developing an alloantibody to D (anti-D) if exposed to D during transfusion. The presence of anti-D can lead to haemolytic transfusion reactions and haemolytic disease of the newborn. Anti-D alloimmunization can also complicate allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with haemolysis and increased transfusion requirements. Read More

Transfusion 2020 Apr 14;60(4):870-874. Epub 2020 Feb 14.

Immunohematology Reference Laboratory, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Background: The clinical and laboratory features of hemolytic disease of the newborn can be challenging to diagnose during pregnancy in the apparent absence of a blood group antibody. Low-frequency antibodies go undetected due to the lack of appropriate antigen-positive reagent red blood cells (RBCs).

Case Report: A pregnant woman of Southeast Asian descent was referred to a maternal-fetal medicine outpatient clinic due to a complicated obstetric history and a negative antibody screen. Read More

F1000Res 2020 23;9. Epub 2020 Jan 23.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, USA.

Allogeneic platelets collected for transfusion treated with pathogen reduction technology (PRT), which has been available in some countries for more than a decade, are now increasingly available in the United States (US). The implementation of PRT-treated platelets, also known as pathogen-reduced platelets (PRPs), has been spurred by the need to further decrease the risk of sepsis associated with bacterial contamination coupled with the potential of this technology to reduce the risk of infections due to already recognized, new, and emerging infectious agents. This article will review available PRP products, examine their benefits, highlight unresolved questions surrounding this technology, and summarize pivotal research studies that have compared transfusion outcomes (largely in adult patients) for PRPs with non-PRT-treated conventional platelets (CPs). Read More

Fetal Diagn Ther 2020 11;47(6):491-496. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Department of Fetal Medicine, Bangalore Fetal Medicine Centre, Bangalore, India.

Introduction: Peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) shows 100% sensitivity for predicting fetal anemia before the first intrauterine transfusion (IUT). However, its ability to predict subsequent transfusions has remained mostly controversial.

Objectives: To assess if there is a need to change the threshold of MCA-PSV from 1. Read More

Blood Adv 2020 Jan;4(2):327-355

Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.

Background: Red cell transfusions remain a mainstay of therapy for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), but pose significant clinical challenges. Guidance for specific indications and administration of transfusion, as well as screening, prevention, and management of alloimmunization, delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTRs), and iron overload may improve outcomes.

Objective: Our objective was to develop evidence-based guidelines to support patients, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals in their decisions about transfusion support for SCD and the management of transfusion-related complications. Read More

Ann Hematol 2020 Mar 27;99(3):421-429. Epub 2020 Jan 27.

Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

β-thalassemia major is one of the most common hematologic disorders in the world. It causes severe anemia and patients require regular blood transfusions, which causes different complications such as iron overload and alloimmunization. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have an important role in regulation of immune responses. Read More

Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020 Jul 21;223(1):119.e1-119.e10. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Center for Clinical Transfusion Research, Sanquin Research, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Immunohematology Diagnostics, Sanquin, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Background: Infants with severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn often require 1 or multiple intrauterine transfusions to treat fetal anemia. Intrauterine transfusions may have an inhibiting effect on fetal and neonatal erythropoiesis.

Objective: To quantify the effect of 1 or multiple intrauterine transfusions on the fetal erythropoiesis by assessing the fetal reticulocyte counts in a population with severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2020 Feb 31;59(1):102704. Epub 2019 Dec 31.

Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a disease in pregnancy characterized by maternal alloantibodies directed against the human platelet antigen (HPA). These antibodies can cause intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) or other major bleeding resulting in lifelong handicaps or death. Optimal fetal care can be provided by timely identification of pregnancies at risk. Read More

Transfusion 2020 Mar 17;60(3):488-497. Epub 2020 Jan 17.

Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Background: Single antigen bead (SAB) assays are used to identify human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in patients with platelet refractoriness due to HLA Class I alloimmunization. Some laboratories use serum pretreatment regimens to eliminate interference from immunoglobulin M antibodies and complement. These modifications may contribute to interlaboratory variability, which is a recognized problem with the SAB assay. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2020 Jun 9;59(3):102729. Epub 2020 Jan 9.

Thalassemia & Hemoglobinopathy Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Clinical Research Development Unit, Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address:

Background And Objectives: Recently, researchers have shown an increased interest in thalassemia for detecting susceptible factors in alloimmunization development. Alloimmunization, especially against Rh and Kell blood, occurs in 30% of thalassemia dependent transfusion (TDT) patients. The aim of this study is to determine the role of HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DRB1*13 group-specific alleles in the production of Rh and Kell alloantibodies. Read More

Transfus Apher Sci 2020 Feb 31;59(1):102711. Epub 2019 Dec 31.

Immunology Research Group, Institute of Medical Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.

In Norway, the management strategy for fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) has for more than two decades differed from most other countries. The focus of this paper is to describe and discuss the Norwegian FNAIT management program. We recommend antenatal IVIg to women who previously have had a child with FNAIT-induced ICH, and usually not to HPA-1a alloimmunized pregnant women where a previous child had FNAIT, but not ICH. Read More

Transfusion 2020 Feb 5;60(2):417-423. Epub 2020 Jan 5.

Immunohematology Reference Laboratory, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Background: The provision of units with antigen-negative attributes is required for alloimmunized transfusion recipients and to avoid alloimmunization among patients on chronic transfusion support. Recent evidence confirms that the demand for antigen-typed units is increasing.

Study Design And Methods: A cloud-based search engine was designed by the blood center to find antigen-negative units. Read More

Vox Sang 2020 Apr 29;115(3):211-220. Epub 2019 Dec 29.

Department of Clinical Transfusion Research, Sanquin Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Background And Objectives: A successful routine RBC alloantibody screening programme should not lead to unnecessary emotional burden during pregnancy due to inadequate counselling on the risk of severe haemolytic disease of the foetus and the newborn (HDFN). Rareness of this disease may result in insufficient knowledge and subsequent inadequate information transfer to women, diagnosed with RBC antibodies. We investigated the current knowledge, views and experiences of Dutch obstetric care providers regarding RBC alloimmunization during pregnancy. Read More

Clin Ther 2020 02 24;42(2):322-337.e2. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Purpose: β-Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by reduced or no production of adult hemoglobin. Systematic identification of the burden of β-thalassemia with contemporary treatments is lacking in published literature. Thus, a gap exists in understanding the baseline burden on which to assess future treatments. Read More

Transfusion 2020 Jan 18;60(1):175-183. Epub 2019 Dec 18.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.

Background: Rhesus D (RhD) incompatibility is still the most important cause of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, causes, and consequences of anti-D alloimmunizations in pregnancy in Iceland, prior to implementation of targeted routine antenatal anti-D prophylaxis (RAADP) in 2018.

Study Design And Methods: This was a nation-wide cohort study of 130 pregnancies affected by RhD alloimmunization in Iceland in the period from 1996 through 2015. Read More

Transfus Med Hemother 2019 Oct 29;46(5):384-385. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Regional Blood Transfusion Center, Swiss Red Cross, Basel, Switzerland.

Herein we describe a case of febrile non-hemolytic reaction (FNHTR) in a 64-year-old male 20 min after the transfusion of one red blood cell unit. 20 days prior the patient had undergone an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) from an unrelated donor with minor ABO disparity. The patient had been treated for plasma cell myeloma with multiple transfusions in the past, but no transfusion reactions or alloimmunization had been reported. Read More

Transfus Med Hemother 2019 Oct 3;46(5):326-336. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Institute of Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Baden-Württemberg-Hessen, and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany.

Unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has evolved from an experimental protocol to a potentially curative first-line treatment in certain disease instances. Factors enabling this transformation were the optimization of treatment protocols and supportive care as well as the availability of a large number of donors worldwide along with the higher quality and reliability of HLA typing. The main criterion for donor selection is HLA compatibility. Read More

Transfusion 2019 12 5;59(12):3698-3713. Epub 2019 Nov 5.

Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute and the Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.

Background: Platelet (PLT) transfusions are the most effective treatments for patients with thrombocytopenia. The growing demand for PLT transfusion products is compounded by a limited supply due to dependency on volunteer donors, a short shelf-life, risk of contaminating pathogens, and alloimmunization. This study provides preclinical evidence that a third-party, cryopreservable source of PLT-generating cells has the potential to complement presently available PLT transfusion products. Read More

Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2020 Jan - Mar;42(1):12-17. Epub 2019 Oct 31.

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Introduction: About 10% of sickle cell anemia patients will have ischemic stroke. Adams showed stroke incidence reduction in children receiving monthly erythrocyte transfusions by reducing transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocities. Since then, chronic transfusion is recommended as primary stroke prophylaxis. Read More