Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction due to anti-Jk(a).

BACKGROUND: Kidd antibodies are very heterogeneous and difficult to detect. They have been frequently implicated in delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTRs). CASE REPORT: A 64 year old female (6 pregnancies, 2 deliveries, 4 abortions) with none red cell (RBC) transfusions in the history was admitted to hospital due to pneumonia and severe anemia. On admittance hemoglobin (Hb) level was 63g/L and hematocrit (Ht) 0.21 L/L. The blood sample of the patient was sent to laboratory for serologic testing since RBC transfusions were required. Patient appeared to beO Rh(D)+ with negative both direct antiglobulin (DAT) and routine antibody screen (ID-DiaCell I+II+III-P). Three units of packed RBCs with negative crossmatch (tube method) were prepared. Patient received two units on Day 2 and one more on Day 3 without any discomfort. Hematological values after the third unit were: Hb 116g/L and Ht 0.37 L/L. On Day 6 she started to feel week, tired, with nausea and mild jaundice. Her Hb and Ht had dropped to 99 g/L and 0.33 L/L respectively, with tendency of dropping further (Day 7: Hb 83 g/L, Ht 0.26 L/L). Total serum bilirubin was 58.9 umol/L (normal range 20.5 umol/L) and direct fraction was 14.9 umol/L (normal range 7 umol/L). DTHR was suspected. Antibody identification performed by ID-DiaMed Gel Techique (GT) showed the presence of anti-Jk(a) with dosage phenomenon. All three previously transfused units were typed Jk(a) and the patient s RBCs were Jk(a-b+). She received two units of Jk(a) negative packed RBCs and was well enough to be discharged on Day 14. CONCLUSION: It is important to monitor clinical effect of transfusion regularly and to provide good team work between specialists of transfusion medicine and related medical staff. The policy of transfusion practice is to keep pretransfusion sample for three weeks and to perform cross-match tests on the samples no older then 24h and 48h respectively.

Oxidative stress in diabetic pregnancy: SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activity and lipid peroxidation products.

Diabetic pregnancy is often complicated by a number of pathological conditions among which is increased oxidative stress. This study was conducted to investigate the parameters of oxidative stress in 90 patients divided into the three groups: pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, healthy pregnant women and non-pregnant women. In pregnancy groups all parameters were followed in 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester. Diabetic control was monitored by fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) and these values, as well as measured biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, total cholesterol and uric acid), were appropriate throughout the study. The concentration of TBARS, as a measure of lipid peroxidation, and activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) were investigated in hemolysate of erythrocytes. TBARS concentration increased significantly in pregnant women when compared with control group (non-pregnant women), as well as in pregnant diabetics compared with healthy pregnant women. The SOD activity was gradually increased in the group of normal pregnant women vs. non-pregnant group, but decreased significantly in the group of diabetic pregnant women. Catalase activity was significantly increased only in 3rd trimester diabetic pregnant women. Increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant status, despite good diabetic control, show that pregnant women are exposed to oxidative stress to a greater degree than controls.

Antibodies detected in samples from 21,730 pregnant women.

Although anti-D is still the main cause of HDN, many other antibodies have been implicated. From September 1995 to April 2000,screening for RBC antibodies was performed on samples from 21,730 pregnant women regardless of RhD type. Standard tube and gel methods were used. Anti-D was identified in 254 samples; other antibody specificities were detected in 376 samples, for a total of 630 antibodies. For this study, 522 antibodies were considered clinically significant. The incidence of potentially clinically significant antibodies was 2.4 percent. The majority belonged to the Rh system, followed by anti-M, -Fya, -S, -Jka, and -Jkb. Among antibodies of no clinical significance, the most frequent were anti- H, -Lea, and -P1.

[Acute transfusion-related lung injury]. / Akutno ostecenje pluca izazvano transfuzijom (transfusion related acute lung injury--TRALI).

Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) is the most serious, potentially lethal, transfusion reaction caused by anti leukocyte antibodies carried passively into recipient's circulation by transfused haemoproduct. It is manifested most frequently within first four hours after transfusion of allogenous haemoproduct containing anti leukocyte antibodies. It is characterized with symptoms and signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome. This rare, but severe transfusion reaction with mortality rate of around 10% is often misdiagnosed, since TRALI signs are assigned to other clinical conditions. Thus, an education for timely recognition and urgent care of TRALI should be initiated.