Detection of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies toward common airborne allergens, peanut, wheat, and latex in solvent/detergent-treated pooled plasma.

Background: Allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) present with a broad range of symptoms probably caused by mediators released from mast cells and basophil granulocytes upon activation. Passive immunoglobulin (Ig)E sensitization may yield clinical symptoms and positive allergy tests. Unexpected findings of IgE antibodies in pooled solvent/detergent (S/D)-treated plasma (Octaplas, Octapharma) during routine analysis initiated an investigation of serum proteins.

Study Design And Methods: Consecutive batches of S/D-plasma transfused during September 2014 through March 2015 were investigated for IgE, IgG, IgA IgM, C3, C4, haptoglobin, anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs), and red blood cell (RBC) antibodies.

Results: During the study period, 4203 S/D-plasma units were transfused. Nineteen (14 Octaplas A and five Octaplas AB) of 20 batches of S/D-plasma were included, representing 99.9% of total number of plasma units. A total of 0.4% of units and five batches reported ATRs. Concentrations of total IgE higher than expected values in adults (<120 kU/L) were observed in 18 of the 19 (95%) batches investigated (median concentration [quartiles], 161 [133-183]). Specific IgE antibodies (expected < 0.35 kilounits antigen [kUA]/L) against house dust mite (2.52 [1.01-5.09]), timothy (2.83 [2.48-3.24]), cat (1.13 [0.58-1.52]), dog (0.83 [0.50-1.05]), mugwort (0.69 [0.53-0.97]), birch (0.62 [0.28-0.92]), peanut (0.52 [0.29-075]), wheat (0.46 [0.33-0.69]), and latex (0.32 [0.21-0.53]) were also detected. IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C4, and haptoglobin were within or below normal ranges. No RBC antibodies were observed, but 18% of batches showed low levels of ANA (anti-RNP).

Conclusion: Specific IgE antibodies against airborne allergens, food allergens, and latex were detected in S/D-treated pooled plasma.