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Allergic transfusion reactions from blood components donated by IgA‐deficient donors with and without anti‐IgA: a comparative retrospective study
Author(s) -
Robitaille N.,
Delage G.,
Long A.,
Thibault L.,
Robillard P.
Publication year - 2010
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.1423-0410.2010.01326.x
Subject(s) - iga deficiency , medicine , immunology , incidence (geometry) , blood transfusion , antibody , physics , optics
Background and Objectives IgA deficiency is common (1/500) and up to 40% of affected individuals will develop anti‐IgA. A few studies suggested that passive transfusion of anti‐IgA was not associated with an increased risk of allergic reactions. This study was designed to assess the safety of transfusing blood components containing anti‐IgA. Materials and Methods IgA‐deficient blood donors with and without anti‐IgA were identified from Héma‐Québec’s (HQ) computerized database. IgA deficiency was confirmed by an ELISA method and the presence of anti‐IgA by a passive hemagglutination assay. Blood donations from IgA‐deficient donors issued to hospitals between March 1999 and December 2004 were retrieved. Medical charts of recipients were reviewed for the occurrence of a suspected transfusion reaction. Presence and nature of transfusion reactions were assessed blindly by an adjudicating committee. Results A total of 323 IgA‐deficient blood products were issued by HQ to 55 hospitals. Of these, 48 agreed to participate [315 blood products (97·5%)]. A total of 272 products were transfused: 174 contained anti‐IgA, and 98 did not. Only two minor allergic reactions occurred in each group. Incidence of allergic reactions was 1·15% in the anti‐IgA group and 2·04% in the group without anti‐IgA ( P = 0·91). There was no anaphylactic reaction in either group. Conclusions This study indicates that the proportion of allergic reactions does not appear to be greater in recipients of blood components containing anti‐IgA compared to recipients of non‐anti‐IgA‐containing components. Allowing donations from IgA‐deficient donors with anti‐IgA may therefore be contemplated.