DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF IRREGULAR RED CELL ALLOANTIBODIES IN PATIENTWITH THALASSEMIA MAJOR IN NORTHERN IRAN

Background: Red Cell Alloantibodies significantly concerns the Rhesus, Kell and Duffysystem may occur in the thalassemia major patient after multiple transfusions.Aim: To describe distribution patterns of irregular red cell Alloantibodies in patients withthalassemia majorMethod: This study is a descriptive, retrospective analysis of 106 alloantibodies screeningoccurring to thalassemia major patient in Guilan Province in northern Iran over a three-yearperiod (2009–2011), with using case series design. All patients have been diagnosed tothalassemia major while that were on hypertransfusion regimen. Other haemoglobinophatywere excluded. Antibody identification was performed on serum employing three panel cellsusing Iranian blood transfusion standard, if patient were found to have irregular red cellantibody, then the antibody identification was done using 11 panel cells. The leading cause ofscreening in the thalassemia major in the study area includes; decrease of interval of bloodtransfusion, blood transfusion reactions and inappropriate cross match in the hospitals bloodbank. Study variable included gender, age, blood group, antibodyID, Ab scr and DAT.Result: A total one hundred-five thalassemia major patient were candidated to screening forred cell alloantibodies. Irregular red cell alloantibodies were found in thirty-nine patient(38%). Twenty-one cases were males (54%) and females were 18 cases (46%). Mean age ofpatient with alloantibody was 22.8 years (S,d 4.9). Twelve cases developed anti-K (31%),Seven cases (18%) developed anti- E, Five cases anti- D (13%) and three cases anti- C-D(8%) were detected. Two cases each developed anti- K- E-C (5.1%) while the otherdeveloped anti-KPa (5.1%). Twelve cases developed mixed antibodies (30.7%). The resultshown a high frequency of red cell alloantibodies belonged to Rhesuse, Kell systems.Conclusion: Providing matched units for the ABO-RHand Kell systems are necessary in aregular screening for red cell alloantibodies on all thalassemia patients, particularly who areon high regime of blood transfusions.