[Acute allergic posttransfusion reaction in a patient with immunoglobulin A deficiency]

The incidence of selective IgA deficiency in general population is 1:400 to 1:750. When IgA immunodeficient person receives transfusion of blood or plasma, a severe allergic reaction can develop. This report describes a patient who developed a severe acute allergic reaction after receiving just a few milliliters of RBCs. Afterwards, investigation of the blood revealed that the patient had an IgA deficiency. This type of allergic reaction can be prevented by transfusion of IgA-deficient blood components or RBCs from a non-IgA-deficient donor which have been washed several times.