EHA Library - The official digital education library of European Hematology Association (EHA)

RED CELL ALLOIMMUNISATION RISK IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF INFECTIONS
Author(s): ,
Dorothea Evers
Affiliations:
Center for Clinical Transfusion Research,Sanquin,Leiden,Netherlands
,
Johanna van der Bom
Affiliations:
Department of Clinical Epidemiology,Leiden University Medical Center,Leiden,Netherlands
,
Janneke Tijmensen
Affiliations:
Center for Clinical Transfusion Research,Sanquin,Leiden,Netherlands
,
Rutger Middelburg
Affiliations:
Department of Clinical Epidemiology,Leiden University Medical Center,Leiden,Netherlands
,
Masja de Haas
Affiliations:
Department of Immunohaematology Diagnostics,Sanquin,Amsterdam,Netherlands
,
Saurabh Zalpuri
Affiliations:
Center for Clinical Transfusion Research,Sanquin,Leiden,Netherlands
,
Karen de Vooght
Affiliations:
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology,University Medical Center Utrecht,Utrecht,Netherlands
,
Daan van de Kerkhof
Affiliations:
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology,Catharina Hospital,Eindhoven,Netherlands
,
Otto Visser
Affiliations:
Department of Haematology,VU Medical Center,Amsterdam,Netherlands
,
Nathalie Péquériaux
Affiliations:
Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology,Jeroen Bosch Hospital,‘s Hertogenbosch,Netherlands
,
Francisca Hudig
Affiliations:
LabWest,Haga Teaching Hospital,The Hague,Netherlands
Jaap Jan Zwaginga
Affiliations:
Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion,Leiden University Medical Center,Leiden,Netherlands
(Abstract release date: 05/19/16) EHA Library. Evers D. 06/12/16; 135327; S833
Dr. Dorothea Evers
Dr. Dorothea Evers
Contributions
Abstract
Abstract: S833

Type: Oral Presentation

Presentation during EHA21: On Sunday, June 12, 2016 from 08:00 - 08:15

Location: Room H6

Background
Red cell alloantigen exposure can lead to antibody associated morbidity. A valid alloimmunisation prediction score will support identification of high-risk patients, consequently followed by offering them extended matched red cell products.Murine models have suggested inflammation as an important modulator of the humoral response towards red cell antigens.

Aims
We set out to quantify the alloimmunisation risk of various types of infections in humans.

Methods
We performed a multicenter case-control study in a source population of patients who received their first and subsequent red cell transfusions during an eight year follow-up period. Cases, defined as patients developing a first transfusion-induced red cell alloantibody, were each compared with two randomly sampled controls, defined as non-alloimmunised patients receiving at least the same number of red cell units. Logistic regression analysis, stratifying for potential confounders, was used to evaluate the association between red cell alloimmunisation and the presence of various types of infections during a 5-week ‘alloimmunisation risk period’. Tissue-invasive bacterial infections were defined as ‘severe’ or ‘mild’ according to the expected induced systemic inflammatory response accompanying the type of infection. Bacteremiae were subclassified into Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteremiae according to the causative microorganism. Viraemia and disseminated viral zoster infections were defined as ‘disseminated viral infections', hereby contrasting local viral infections.

Results
Within a cohort of 24,063 newly transfused patients, 505 cases and 1,010 matched controls received a median of eight (interquartile range 4-16) red cell transfusions. During the risk period, 159 cases (31.5%) and 314 controls (31.1%) were diagnosed with at least one infectious episode. Alloimmunisation incidences increased upon red cell antigen exposure during severe, but not mild, bacterial infections (adjusted relative risk (RR) 1.34 with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-1.85; figure). RRs were further pronounced when these bacterial infections were accompanied with long-lasting fever (RR 3.06, CI 1.57-5.96). Disseminated viral disorders demonstrated a RR of 2.41 (CI 0.89-6.53, figure). Surprisingly, bacteraemia with Gram-negative, but not with Gram-positive, microorganisms, coincided with a 2-fold reduction in alloimmunisation incidences (RR 0.58, CI 0.13-1.14, figure 1). Fungal infections, as well as elevated CRP values, and (level of) leucocytosis were not associated with red cell alloimmunisation.

Conclusion
Our findings corroborate animal studies suggesting that red cell transfusions in a setting of severe bacterial or viral infections increase the risk of alloimmunisation, contrasting Gram-negative bacteraemia which substantially reduce alloantibody formation. Data on recent or existing infections should thus be incorporated into an alloimmunisation prediction score, enabling selecting high-risk patients who will benefit most from extended matched red cell transfusions.



Session topic: Transfusion Medicine
Abstract: S833

Type: Oral Presentation

Presentation during EHA21: On Sunday, June 12, 2016 from 08:00 - 08:15

Location: Room H6

Background
Red cell alloantigen exposure can lead to antibody associated morbidity. A valid alloimmunisation prediction score will support identification of high-risk patients, consequently followed by offering them extended matched red cell products.Murine models have suggested inflammation as an important modulator of the humoral response towards red cell antigens.

Aims
We set out to quantify the alloimmunisation risk of various types of infections in humans.

Methods
We performed a multicenter case-control study in a source population of patients who received their first and subsequent red cell transfusions during an eight year follow-up period. Cases, defined as patients developing a first transfusion-induced red cell alloantibody, were each compared with two randomly sampled controls, defined as non-alloimmunised patients receiving at least the same number of red cell units. Logistic regression analysis, stratifying for potential confounders, was used to evaluate the association between red cell alloimmunisation and the presence of various types of infections during a 5-week ‘alloimmunisation risk period’. Tissue-invasive bacterial infections were defined as ‘severe’ or ‘mild’ according to the expected induced systemic inflammatory response accompanying the type of infection. Bacteremiae were subclassified into Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteremiae according to the causative microorganism. Viraemia and disseminated viral zoster infections were defined as ‘disseminated viral infections', hereby contrasting local viral infections.

Results
Within a cohort of 24,063 newly transfused patients, 505 cases and 1,010 matched controls received a median of eight (interquartile range 4-16) red cell transfusions. During the risk period, 159 cases (31.5%) and 314 controls (31.1%) were diagnosed with at least one infectious episode. Alloimmunisation incidences increased upon red cell antigen exposure during severe, but not mild, bacterial infections (adjusted relative risk (RR) 1.34 with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-1.85; figure). RRs were further pronounced when these bacterial infections were accompanied with long-lasting fever (RR 3.06, CI 1.57-5.96). Disseminated viral disorders demonstrated a RR of 2.41 (CI 0.89-6.53, figure). Surprisingly, bacteraemia with Gram-negative, but not with Gram-positive, microorganisms, coincided with a 2-fold reduction in alloimmunisation incidences (RR 0.58, CI 0.13-1.14, figure 1). Fungal infections, as well as elevated CRP values, and (level of) leucocytosis were not associated with red cell alloimmunisation.

Conclusion
Our findings corroborate animal studies suggesting that red cell transfusions in a setting of severe bacterial or viral infections increase the risk of alloimmunisation, contrasting Gram-negative bacteraemia which substantially reduce alloantibody formation. Data on recent or existing infections should thus be incorporated into an alloimmunisation prediction score, enabling selecting high-risk patients who will benefit most from extended matched red cell transfusions.



Session topic: Transfusion Medicine

By clicking “Accept Terms & all Cookies” or by continuing to browse, you agree to the storing of third-party cookies on your device to enhance your user experience and agree to the user terms and conditions of this learning management system (LMS).

Cookie Settings
Accept Terms & all Cookies