Type Distribution of Unexpected Red Cell Antibodies in Patients with Malignancy / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Performance of antibody screening and identification tests before blood transfusion is important because the unexpected presence of red cell antibodies may cause hemolytic transfusion reactions. Many patients with malignancy undergo transfusion in order to overcome pancytopenia due to disease itself or chemotherapy. We investigated the type distribution of unexpected red cell antibodies in cancer patients and compared our results with those of other institutions. METHODS: From January 2008 to June 2011, 30,989 serum samples were screened using a LISS/Coombs card and ID-DiaCell I, II (DiaMed AG, Morat, Switzerland). Data-Cyte Plus Reagent Red Blood Cells (Medion Diagnostics, Dudingen, Switzerland) were used in performance of antibody identification tests. RESULTS: Out of 30,989 serum samples, 180 cases (0.58%) showed screening-positive results, and unexpected antibodies were identified in 72 cases. The type of unexpected antibody observed most often in cancer patients was a member of the Rh antibody group, anti-E in 17 cases (29.8%), followed by anti-Lea in five cases (8.8%) and anti-e in three cases (5.3%). While Rh group antibodies were observed in the colon cancer group, non-Rh group antibodies were observed in the rectal cancer group. And, in the genitourinary cancer group, Lewis group antibodies were more frequently detected than others. CONCLUSION: Findings from our study demonstrated a type distribution of unexpected red cell antibodies that was similar to those reported in previous studies. Compared with non-cancerous patients, no difference in type distribution of unexpected red cell antibodies was observed in cancer patients. Some antibodies were frequently observed in certain cancer groups. Further comprehensive research on unexpected antibodies based on location or histologic type of cancer is needed.

The Frequency of Unexpected Antibodies by Using Two Micro-column Agglutination Systems: DiaMed-ID and Ortho BioVue Systems / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Unexpected antibody screening and identification tests are very important for safe blood transfusion. The micro-column agglutination test (MCAT) is widely used due to its simplicity and efficiency for detecting alloantibodies. We analyzed the frequency of unexpected antibodies at three university hospital blood banks, which use two different MCAT systems. METHODS: From February 2002 to December 2009, a total of 295,876 unexpected antibody screening tests were performed at three university hospital blood banks. Two hospital blood banks (Anam and Ansan Hospitals) used the DiaMed-ID system (DiaMed Ag, Switzerland) and the other (Guro Hospital) used the Ortho BioVue system (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, USA) for antibody screening and identification tests. RESULTS: The rates of detecting unexpected antibodies on screening test based on the 'tests performed' and the 'persons tested' were 1.16% per test and 0.96% per person in Korea University Guro Hospital, 0.65% and 0.41% in Korea University Anam Hospital and 0.76% and 0.57% in Korea University Ansan hospital, respectively. There were significant differences in the frequencies based on the two different systems (P<0.001). Among the warm antibodies, Rh antibodies were more frequently detected by the DiaMed-ID system, and Lewis antibodies were most frequently detected by the Ortho BioVue System. CONCLUSION: We should carefully interpretate the frequency of unexpected antibodies in the Korean population because the frequencies of unexpected antibodies are different according to different employed micro-column agglutination systems.

The Frequency and Distribution of Unexpected Antibodies in Transfusion Candidates with the Use of the Ortho BioVue System: Recent Four Year Experience / 대한수혈학회지

BACKGROUND: Unexpected antibodies are important factors for hemolytic transfusion reactions. In the past, the tube method was used for detecting unexpected antibodies. The column agglutination method has recently been widely used because of its simplicity and it has a higher rate of detecting warm antibodies. In this study, we describe the frequency and distribution of unexpected antibodies in transfusion candidates during the recent 4 years and the transfusion characteristics in the identified cases. METHODS: Antibody screening tests were carried out on 44,008 sera using the column agglutination method from January, 2005 to December, 2008. The antibodies were screened and identified by the Ortho BioVue System (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, USA). RESULTS: Of the 44,008 cases that underwent unexpected antibodies screening, 589 cases (1.3%) showed positive results. Unexpected antibodies were identified in 383 cases. The antibodies that were most frequently detected were anti-Lewis antibodies in 130 cases (34.0%). Among the warm antibodies, anti-Rh and anti-Kidd antibodies were detected in 67 cases (17.5%) and 2 cases (0.5%), respectively. Unidentified antibodies were detected in 133 cases (38.9%). Among the patients with unexpected antibodies, 137 cases (35.8%) had a history of previous transfusion and 244 cases (63.7%) had a history of previous transfusion or gestation. CONCLUSION: Anti-Lewis cold antibodies were the most frequently detected antibodies. Warm antibodies were also frequently detected, and these are clinically significant.