Okello CD, Shih AW, Nabwana M, Kiwanuka N, Heddle N, Mayanja-Kizza H, Orem J. Frequency of red blood cell allo-immunization in patients undergoing blood transfusion at the Uganda Cancer Institute.
Afr Health Sci 2023;
23:362-370. [PMID:
38974296 PMCID:
PMC11225488 DOI:
10.4314/ahs.v23i4.39]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
There is limited data on red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization in patients with cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We examined the frequency of RBC alloimmunization in transfused patients with cancers in Uganda.
Methods
A randomized control trial was conducted on participants at the Uganda Cancer Institute. Eligible participants were age ≥15 years and required blood transfusion. Participants were randomized to receive either leucoreduced or non-leucoreduced blood transfusion. Participants' plasma samples were screened for RBC alloantibodies at enrolment and 3-4 weeks after blood transfusion using a 2-cell panel of reagent group O RBCs using the tube method. Antibody identification was performed using a 10-cell panels of reagent RBCs. Participants were considered alloimmunized if antibodies to RBC antigens were identified.
Results
A total of 277 participants were randomized (leucoreduced blood, n=137; non-leucoreduced blood, n=140). Overall, the most represented diagnoses were gynaecological cancers (n=88, 31.8%), acute leukaemia (n=35, 12.6%), and gastrointestinal cancers (n=25, 9.0%). Concomitant HIV infection was present in 26 (9.4%) participants. Most participants received <5 units of blood during the study. No study participant developed allo-antibodies.
Conclusion
There was no RBC alloimmunization in participants with cancers. Routine RBC allo-antibody screening in all patients with cancer in SSA requires further research.
Collapse