Mining the possibilities behind RBC alloimmunization

摘要

In this issue of Blood, Higgins and Stoan use clinical data to develop and test mathematical models of human red-cell alloimmunization.Among the most common risks of red-blood cell (RBC) transfusion is the development of RBC alloantibodies. The incidence of RBC alloimmunization is not insignificant, ranging from 4% to as high as 60% in some patient populations. Clinically, RBC alloimmunization can result in delays in patient care, hemolytic transfusion reactions, hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, and possibly increased morbidity following organ transplantation. In addition, RBC alloimmunization has a significant negative impact on laboratory and institutional resources associated with a need for increased laboratory testing difficulties in identification and procurement of compatible blood units for transfusion, obstetrical management, and with the evaluation and management of transfusion reactions. Proposals to minimize RBC alloimmunization through extended antigen matching for all patients are logistically impractical and would add significant costs to the health care system.