Granulocyte antibodies in male blood donors: can they trigger transfusion-related acute lung injury?

Background: White blood cell-associated antibodies can lead to transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI). Female donors with a history of pregnancies have been identified as a main cause for these antibodies. Male or female donors without a history of pregnancy are considered as safe donors.

A novel tool for high-throughput screening of granulocyte-specific antibodies using the automated flow cytometric granulocyte immunofluorescence test (Flow-GIFT).

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a severe complication related with blood transfusion. TRALI has usually been associated with antibodies against leukocytes. The flow cytometric granulocyte immunofluorescence test (Flow-GIFT) has been introduced for routine use when investigating patients and healthy blood donors.