Red blood cell alloimmunisation among Chinese patients with β-thalassaemia major in Taiwan

The development of red blood cell (RBC) antibodies can significantly complicate transfusion therapy in transfusion-dependent patients with thalassaemia. However, few data are available on the frequency of RBC alloimmunisation in the Chinese population with β-thalassaemia major.

In this retrospective study, we investigated the development of RBC antibodies among Chinese patients with β-thalassaemia major who had received long-term transfusion therapy with leucodepleted blood in our hospital over a period of 20 years.

Of the 64 patients studied, six (9.4%) developed RBC alloantibodies, including four anti-E, one anti-C and one anti-"Mi(a)". All of the six alloimmunised patients had experienced previous transfusion reactions, while only 12 of the 58 non-immunised patients had had previous transfusion reactions (100% vs 15.5%; p <0.001). After subsequent transfusions with RBC which were negative for the antigens for the corresponding alloantibodies, all the RBC alloantibodies became undetectable within 1 year without additional interventions to eliminate them.

RBC alloantibodies in Chinese patients with β-thalassaemia major in Taiwan were different from those in other populations. The development of RBC alloantibodies was associated with previous transfusion reactions. Additional treatment may not be necessary for patients with alloantibodies.