Frequency of RBC Alloantibodies in Chinese Surgical Patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies in surgical patients. METHODS: Blood samples of 18,980 Chinese surgical patients were collected and tested between January 2009 and September 2010. For patients with RBC alloantibodies, sequences of antibodies were identified with the DiaMed Asia antibody screening system. Data regarding sex, age, transfusion history, pregnancy history, and alloantibody specificity were collected. RESULTS: 39 alloantibodies were identified from 18,980 samples, yielding a prevalence of 0.21%. The most frequently identified alloantibodies were Rhesus system antibodies (28/39, 71.8%), including anti-E (17/39; 1 anti-E accompanied by anti-Fy(b)), anti-c (5/39), anti-cE (2/39), anti-C(w) (1/39), anti-D (1/39), and anti-e (1/39). Other antibodies included anti-M (5/39), anti-Le(a) (2/39), anti-Le(b) (1/39), anti-K+S (1/39), anti-JK(a) (1/39), and anti-JS(a) (1/39). The frequency of alloantibodies was greater in females than in males (31 vs. 8). CONCLUSION: The results show a higher prevalence of RBC alloantibodies in females than in males. Anti-E was the most common alloantibody identified in this Chinese surgical population and was also more frequent in females compared to males.