Transfusion Reactions

Question 1

What is the cause of hemolytic transfusion reactions?

Answer 1

Antibody to RBC antigens

Usually ABO

Question 2

What is the cause of febrile transfusion reactions?

Answer 2

Antibody to WBC/ platelet antigens/cytokines

Question 3

What is the cause of urticarial transfusion reactions?

Answer 3

Antibody to soluble antigen in donor plasma

Question 4

What is the cause of anaphylactic transfusion reactions?

Answer 4

Anti-IgA

Question 5

What is the cause of TRALI?

Answer 5

Donor antibody to recipient HLA or neutrophil antigens

Question 6

What could be a cause of POSITIVE hemolysis but a NEGATIVE DAT?

Answer 6

Sickle cell crisis
Thalassemia or G6PD deficient patient
Units overheated/frozen
All cells are hemolyzed

Question 7

Iron overload is a type of delayed transfusion reaction. Who is usually affected by this and what lab finding would you see?

Answer 7

Patients receiving repeated transfusions over long periods of time – Sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, other anemias

Increased serum ferritin