Characteristics of ABO Antibodies in Group O Malaysian Blood Donors

Haemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) due to anti-A and anti-B antibodies in Group O blood products are rare but potentially fatal. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of high ABO antibody titre and the immunoglobulin (Ig) classes (IgM only or with IgG) and the prevalence of haemolysin antibodies in Group O blood donors.

Plasma from Group O blood donors was tested by using antibody titration at room temperature. Titres ≥ 64 were considered high. The plasma was treated with 0.01 M dithiothreitol (DTT) to determine the presence of IgG antibodies and titre. IgG titres ≥ 64 were considered high. Tests for haemolysis were conducted by mixing the plasma with 3% fresh A1 and B cell suspensions and incubating at 37 °C. The haemolysis was observed macroscopically.

Of 311 donors, 238 (76.5%) showed high anti-A and/or anti-B antibody titres. The highest antibody titre obtained was 256. Female and younger donors (< 40 years old) had higher anti-A and anti-B titres. The anti-B titre showed an association with gender (P < 0.001), and was high in female donors (77.8%). Males aged over 50 years old were found to have low mean titre antibodies. Most donors had both IgM and IgG ABO antibodies. The prevalence of haemolysins in our population was 3.5%.

Most of our O blood donors had a high ABO antibody titre but a low prevalence of haemolysins. Males aged over 50 years old are the best O donors for preventing HTRs, particularly when mismatch transfusion is required. We recommend a transfusion unit screen for ABO antibody titre in younger female donors (< 40 years old), to prevent the transfusion of high titre O blood products into non-O recipients.