Detection and identification of red cell alloantibodies in multiply transfused thalassemia major patients: a prospective study.

Life long red blood transfusion remains the main treatment for β thalassemia major patients. The development of alloantibodies complicates transfusion therapy in thalassemia patients. Alloimmunization to red cell antigens is one of the most important immunological transfusion reaction and causes delayed type of transfusion reaction.

A prospective study for prevalence and/or development of transfusion-transmitted infections in multiply transfused thalassemia major patients.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of seropositivity to hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections among children with β-thalassemia major receiving multiple transfusions in Ahmedabad, India, compared with healthy controls.

Materials And Methods: The study was performed during January 2007 to January 2009 on multi-transfused children suffering with β-thalassemia major registered in the Prathama Blood Centre, Ahmedabad; Jeevandeep hospital, Ahmedabad; and Red Cross Blood Centre, Ahmedabad, and investigated for the prevalence and development of transfusion-transmitted infections. Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), anti-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Antibodies (Ab), and HIV Ab were checked using a fourth-generation Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Fatal drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia due to cefotetan; A case study.

A case is described here of drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) due to cefotetan administered to a post-partum woman who received the drug for infection prophylaxis at the time of caesarean section. Renewed fatal hemolysis occurred when the drug was given a second time 12 days after the first dose. The initial immunohematologic findings included a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT) due to IgG and complement coating of the patient's RBCs as well as an eluate that did not react with RBCs in the absence of drug.

An immunohematological 'Wet' workshop.

A practical workshop on 'Immunohematology' was conducted in conjunction with the Indian Society of Blood Transfusion and Immunohaematology annual scientific program. The participants, from many parts of India, were able to obtain valuable practice in key areas of blood group serology and by the end of the workshop were able to carry out 'tube' techniques for antibody detection and identification. Column agglutination methods were also demonstrated.