[Sickle cell anemia and pregnancy: considerations on systematic prophylactic transfusion].

Sickle cell anemia, a congenital hemolytic type of anemia due to a genetic defect in the beta chain of the globin molecule can cause severe disease. During pregnancy, the risk for preeclampsia and deep venous thrombosis is increased in patients with sickle cell anemia. Occlusion of placenta blood vessels with rigid deformed erythrocytes can cause repeated miscarriages and intra-uterine fetal death.

[Prevention of fetal hemolytic disease: it is time to take action].

In spite of the progress made since 1970 in specific prevention by anti-rhesus immunoglobulins, and improved management of at-risk pregnancies, allo-immunization due to the erythrocytic Rh 1 antigen (formerly known as Rhesus D or Rh D) remains widespread. In fact, anti-Rh 1 antibodies currently constitute over one-third of the immune antibodies detected after pregnancy. The prevention of allo-immunization against the Rh 1 antigen is therefore still problematical, and concerns approximately one pregnant woman in seven.

Gel test assay for IgG subclass detection by GM typing: application to hemolytic disease of the newborn.

The gel test assay was evaluated for IgG subclass detection by GM typing of antibodies and compared to the classical inhibition agglutination method on slides or microtiter plates. We used a panel of 5 murine monoclonal antibodies directed against G1M(1), G1M(3), G1M(17), G2M(23), and G3M(21) and 1 human polyclonal anti-G3M(5) antibody. Eleven polyclonal antisera (of immunized women) directed against red blood cells were tested for the GM allotypes carried by their alloantibodies.