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Transfusion‐associated microchimerism
Author(s) -
Utter G. H.,
Reed W. F.,
Lee T.H.,
Busch M. P.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
vox sanguinis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.68
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1423-0410
pISSN - 0042-9007
DOI - 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2007.00954.x
Subject(s) - microchimerism , immunology , etiology , medicine , population , blood transfusion , haematopoiesis , fetus , biology , pregnancy , pathology , stem cell , genetics , environmental health
Blood transfusion is a newly recognized cause of microchimerism, the stable persistence of a minor population of allogeneic cells. Relatively recent advances in polymerase chain reaction technology have spawned new information about the frequency and aetiology of transfusion‐associated microchimerism (TA‐MC). Although conceptually related to fetal‐maternal microchimerism, TA‐MC is a distinct and separate entity. Evidence of TA‐MC has been strongest among patients with severe traumatic injuries who receive relatively fresh blood products shortly after an episode of massive haemorrhage. The presence of a focal deficit in the cellular immunologic repertoire prior to transfusion that happens to match a blood donor's human leucocyte antigen type also appears to be an important predisposing factor. TA‐MC seems to be common (affecting approximately 10% of transfused injured patients), enduring (lasting years to decades) and pronounced (involving up to 5% of circulating leucocytes and multiple immunophenotypic lineages suggestive of haematopoietic engraftment). Further study of this topic may reveal important information regarding potential clinical consequences of TA‐MC, as well as basic haematologic and immunologic processes.