Prevention and management of transfusion-induced alloimmunization: current perspectives

Transfusion of blood components, transplantations, and exchange of blood between mother and child during pregnancy or at birth can lead to alloimmunization. Because of its clinical relevance, this review brings into focus alloimmunization against red blood cells, human platelet antigens, human leukocyte antigens, and human neutrophil antigens. In principle, an individual is able to develop antibodies after exposure to a nonautogenous antigen, but these cells actually induce alloimmunization only for a minority of patients. An individual producing alloantibodies after having contact with foreign antigens depends on various factors, such as genetic predisposition, underlying diseases, the patient's immune status, and clinical immune modulation. When alloimmunization has occurred, it could lead to problems for future transfusions or transplantations.