Prevalence and specificities of red cell alloantibodies in transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia patients in Yazd

Background Multiple transfusions in thalassemia patients may lead to antibody production against blood group antigens and hemolytic transfusion reaction might occur. In this study, antibody screening test was performed by tube and gel methods to determine the prevalence and specificity of alloantibodies in thalassemia patients. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, overall of 100 thalassemia patients from Yazd thalassemia clinic were recruited from July to September 2013. Two blood samples with volume of 6 ml were collected from each patient for standard tube and gel method antibody screening tests and a questionnaire consisting of demographic, health and blood transfusion status was completed. Results Out of 100 cases, 54 were female (54%) and 46 male (46%). The patients' age mean was 14.97 +/- 7.91 years with 2 to 33 years age range. Only 4% (n=4) had developed alloantibodies. (One patient developed dual alloantibody (Anti-C and Anti-D) and three patients developed single alloantibody (Anti-K)). Gel method detected 4 patients with alloantibody but in two patients not detected by the standard tube method. Conclusion The prevalence of RBC alloantibody production in this study was less than most previous studies. Anti-K was the most prevalent alloantibody in thalassemia patients in Yazd. It seems Rh and Kell blood group phenotyping in a newly diagnosed thalassemia patient and selection of matched blood for transfusion is very important.