Red cell alloimmunization among haemato-oncologic patients in a teaching hospital in Malaysia

Background: The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence and specificity of red blood cell alloantibody among haemato-oncologic patients and to correlate the association of antibody development with other factors such as age, gender, race, number of packed red blood cell (RBCs) transfused and diagnosis. Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Transfusion Medicine Unit, HUSM. Clinical and serological data of 216 haemato-oncologic patients who who received blood transfusions were collected and analysed. The blood samples were subjected to the standard immunohematological procedure for RBC antibody screening and identification using reagents of Diamed-ID Gel microtyping system Results: RBC alloimmunization rate among haemato-oncologic patients was 3.2%. Red cell antibodies were detected in seven patients. Four patients developed single antibody, while three develop multiple antibodies. However, we noted all seven patients were Malay with lymphoproliferative disease and majorities were adult male (71.4%) patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of RBC alloimmunization in post transfusion haemato-oncology patients was low despite of multiple transfusions and it is comparable with other diseases, which required multiple transfusions. Therefore, it is important to prioritize the extended antigen matching to patients that will be most benefit.