Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization in Multitransfused Patients in a Tertiary Care Center in Western India

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the seroprevalence and specificity of red blood cell (RBC) antibodies in multitransfused patients, in whom the risk of alloimmunization is especially high. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study on blood specimens from 200 multitransfused patients. We evaluated all specimens for alloimmunization using various immunohematological tests via the column agglutination technique. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of RBC alloantibodies was 5.5%. Of the 11 specific types of alloantibodies identified, most (72.7%) belonged to the Rh blood group system, followed by the S, M, and Lewis blood group systems (9.1% each). CONCLUSION: Most alloantibodies were of the Rh blood group specificity. To improve the quality of blood supplied, especially to patients with thalassemia, we recommend that Rh phenotyped, cross-match-compatible blood should be issued to prevent complications such as acute and delayed hemolytic reactions.