Characterization of Red Blood Cells Alloimmunization at Hospital Universitario del Valle between 2011 and 2013

Abstract

Background: The national blood needs are partially covered. The use of blood involves the detection and identification of unexpected red cell receptor antibodies. Objective: The objective was to characterize demographically and clinically cases of erythrocyte alloimmunization at Transfusion Service of the University Hospital of the Valle (Cali, Valle del Cauca) between 2011 and 2013. Methodology: A cross-sectional design of cases of red cell alloimmunization transfused between august 1^th 2011 until july 31^th 2013.  The cases were included through a systematic random sampling. Epi-Info for Windows® was used for the development of the instrument, data entry and statistical analysis. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee on Research of the Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga and HUV. Results: Out of the eighty cases, 53.8 % were female and 46.2% were male.  65% were Hispanic and 35% African-American. 22.5% had a history of hematopoietic diseases and 45% were hospitalized for diagnoses included in this category of ICD-10. 79% of women had obstetric history. 18.75% were transfused previously. 36% of the cases had a CceeK- phenotype. 31.25% had alloantibody Anti-E followed by Anti-K 21.25%. Conclusions: The major alloantibody identified was Anti-E followed by Anti-K. Additionally, the associated alloantibody could not be identified in a large group mainly due to antibody mixture. Also, most cases correspond to young adults and adults. In the clinical characteristics of the sample a discrete representation of congenital hemoglobinopathies was observed and most were not previously polytransfused.[Pérez JA, Cortés A. Characterization of Red Blood Cells Alloimmunization at Hospital Universitario del Valle between 2011 and 2013. MedUNAB 2014; 17(2):66-80]