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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Transfusion-induced serum sickness.

Veroniek Saegeman¹, Wim Wynendaele, Stefan Kerre

¹Department of Laboratory Medicine, Imelda Hospital Bonheiden, Belgium.

|November 5, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Transfusion-induced serum sickness is a rare complication. Using plasma-free washed red blood cells (RBCs) effectively prevents these immune complex reactions in susceptible patients.

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Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Area of Science:

Immunology
Hematology
Transfusion Medicine

Background:

Transfusion-induced serum sickness reactions are uncommon, characterized by Type III hypersensitivity.
This reaction involves immune complex deposition and leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

Observation:

A 61-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome experienced recurrent serum sickness after red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.
Symptoms included fever, rash, and polyarthralgia.

Findings:

Laboratory tests revealed elevated serum creatinine, hematuria, proteinuria, and immune complexes (IgG, IgM).
Skin biopsy confirmed leukocytoclastic vasculitis, consistent with serum sickness.

Implications:

Early recognition of transfusion-induced serum sickness is crucial to minimize patient morbidity.
Administering plasma-free washed RBCs is recommended for patients with a history of serum sickness-like reactions post-transfusion.