Title: Prevalence of “unexpected antibodies” in patients requiring blood transfusion at National Referral Hospital, Thimphu from 2015 to 2017: Retrospective study

Authors: Mahrukh Getshen, Tshering Yangdon, Lobzang Tashi, Dorji Wangchuk

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i2.61

Abstract

Safe blood transfusion involves pre-transfusion compatibility testing including ABO and Rh typing, cross match testing and screening for unexpected antibodies. Unexpected antibodies are those other than naturally occurring (Hyung Joon Kim, 2013) anti-A and anti-B antibodies which can cause transfusion reactions such as acute or delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of unexpected antibodies in patient samples received by Blood Bank. A total of 39,655 antibody screening was performed from 2015-2017 using standard tube method with commercially available screen cells. The overall prevalence of alloantibodies were 0.39% with higher rate in females 76.5% than males (23.5%). Anti-Lea was the most commonly encountered alloantibodies (56.05%). Antibodies belonging to Rh system accounted for 11.47 % and remaining 24.2 % were undetected. Patients with unexpected alloantibodies may cause delayed transfusion reaction. Considering the delay in antibody testing and identification, it is vital to perform antibody screening for the donor units, so that the compatible blood unit will be accessible at times of need.

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Corresponding Author

Tshering Yangdon

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