Volume 22, Issue 2 (Summer 2025)
2025, 22(2): 137-149 |
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Nakhaei Shamahmood M, Nasiri M, Meghdadi M, Mortazi H, Asadifard M, Erfani F, et al . Kell and E Alloantibodies as the Main Causes of Alloimmunization in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Iranian Blood Transfusion 2025; 22 (2) :137-149
URL: http://bloodjournal.ir/article-1-1586-en.html
URL: http://bloodjournal.ir/article-1-1586-en.html
Mobina Nakhaei Shamahmood 
, Maziar Nasiri , Mohammadreza Meghdadi , Hasan Mortazi , Masoumeh Asadifard , Farzane Erfani , Omid Hassani Akbarieh , Fateme Mezginejad *
, Maziar Nasiri , Mohammadreza Meghdadi , Hasan Mortazi , Masoumeh Asadifard , Farzane Erfani , Omid Hassani Akbarieh , Fateme Mezginejad *
Abstract: (184 Views)
Background and Objectives
Patients with major thalassemia require regular blood transfusions, and one of the most important complications of repeated transfusions is the development of alloantibodies. This study aimed to assess the frequency and characterize common types of alloantibodies in patient population.
Materials and Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 45 patients with transfusion-dependent major thalassemia in Birjand, Iran. Antibody screening and subsequent antibody identification tests were performed to detect alloantibodies. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data including age, gender, and relevant clinical parameters were extracted from the patients’ electronic medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and the chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were applied to evaluate associations between variables.
Results
A total of 45 patients, comprising 21 males (46.6%) and 24 females (53.3%), with and age ranged from 1 to 36 years, were included in the study. The overall prevalence of alloantibodies was 2.2%-18.1% (95% CI). Four alloantibodies were identified, with anti-K being the most frequent (3 patients, 100%) followed by anti-E (1 patient, 33%). The most common ABO phenotype was type O (42.2%), while Rh antigens c and e, were present in 100% and 93.3% of patients, respectively. Seven patients (15.5%) had undergone splenectomy. No significant association were observed between alloimmunization and age group, gender, blood group, number of transfused blood units, or splenectomy status.
Conclusions
Given the detection of alloantibodies targeting the Kell and Rh (E) blood group systems in the thalassemia population, it is recommended that transfused blood units be matched at a minimum for Kell and Rh antigens.
Patients with major thalassemia require regular blood transfusions, and one of the most important complications of repeated transfusions is the development of alloantibodies. This study aimed to assess the frequency and characterize common types of alloantibodies in patient population.
Materials and Methods
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 45 patients with transfusion-dependent major thalassemia in Birjand, Iran. Antibody screening and subsequent antibody identification tests were performed to detect alloantibodies. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data including age, gender, and relevant clinical parameters were extracted from the patients’ electronic medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, and the chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were applied to evaluate associations between variables.
Results
A total of 45 patients, comprising 21 males (46.6%) and 24 females (53.3%), with and age ranged from 1 to 36 years, were included in the study. The overall prevalence of alloantibodies was 2.2%-18.1% (95% CI). Four alloantibodies were identified, with anti-K being the most frequent (3 patients, 100%) followed by anti-E (1 patient, 33%). The most common ABO phenotype was type O (42.2%), while Rh antigens c and e, were present in 100% and 93.3% of patients, respectively. Seven patients (15.5%) had undergone splenectomy. No significant association were observed between alloimmunization and age group, gender, blood group, number of transfused blood units, or splenectomy status.
Conclusions
Given the detection of alloantibodies targeting the Kell and Rh (E) blood group systems in the thalassemia population, it is recommended that transfused blood units be matched at a minimum for Kell and Rh antigens.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Thalasemia
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