Red Cell Alloimmunization and Autoimmunization Among Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia Patients in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Amr J Halawani,1 Abdullah A Mobarki,2 Ali H Arjan,3 Muhammad Saboor,2 Hassan A Hamali,2 Gasim Dobie,2 Khalaf F Alsharif4 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Laboratory and Blood Bank, King Fahad Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, Taif, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Amr J Halawani, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia are common inherited blood disorders in Saudi Arabia, especially in Jazan Province. Patients with these disorders require multiple blood transfusions, which may lead to alloimmunization because of mismatched blood group antigens. In this study, we examined the alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates in patients with SCD and thalassemia together with the involved antibodies.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to review the transfusion history records of patients with SCD and thalassemia at Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital, Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia.Results: Four-hundred thirty-eight patients (385 with SCD, 52 with β-thalassemia, and 1 with α-thalassemia) were received leukoreduced red cell transfusions. The alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates in patients with SCD were 12.98% and 0.52%, respectively. In patients with thalassemia, the alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates were 13.21% and 3.77%, respectively. The most prevalent antibodies in the study population were anti-E (17.19%) and anti-K (14.06%).Conclusion: The alloimmunization and autoimmunization rates were determined in patients with SCD and thalassemia in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. The results highlight the need for extended phenotyping to include ABO, RH (D, C, c, E, e), K, Fya, Fyb, Jka and Jkb antigens in the screening panel. This will benefit patients to ensure better transfusion practices.Keywords: red cell alloimmunization, sickle cell disease, thalassemia, autoimmunization

Keywords

• red cell alloimmunization
• sickle cell disease
• thalassemia
• autoimmunization