MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Transfusion reaction

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Transfusion reaction

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Surface proteins causing rejection

Alternative names Return to top

Blood transfusion reaction

Definition Return to top

Transfusion reaction is a complication of blood transfusion where there is an immune response against the transfused blood cells or other components of the transfusion.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

The immune response normally protects the body from potentially harmful substances. These substances (antigens) trigger multiple responses, including production of antibodies (immunoglobulins, molecules that attach to a specific antigen and aid in its destruction), and sensitized lymphocytes that recognize a particular antigen and destroy it.

The immune system normally can distinguish its own blood cells from other cells. These foreign proteins (antigens) produce an immune response.

The surface of red blood cells contain several proteins that can be identified by the body as antigens. In 1900, the German pathologist, Karl Landsteiner, identified 2 of these antigenic proteins, which he called A and B.

Blood is classified according to the presence of these antigens, resulting in blood types A, B, AB (contains both antigens), and O (contains neither antigen). Blood plasma contains antibodies against the opposite antigen. A person with Type A blood, for example, has antibodies against the B antigen.

In 1940, Dr. Landsteiner discovered another group of antigens. They were named Rhesus factors (Rh factors) because they were discovered during experiments on Rhesus monkeys.

People with Rhesus factors in their blood are classified as "Rh positive," while persons without the factors are classified as "Rh negative." Rh negative persons form antibodies against the Rh factor if they are exposed to Rh positive blood.

This is of major importance in an Rh negative mother who is pregnant with an Rh positive baby. There are other antigens as well, besides ABO and Rh antigens.

The presence of antibodies against blood antigens results in blood group compatibility or incompatibility. Transfusion of blood between compatible groups (such as O+ to O+) usually causes no problem. Blood transfusion between incompatible groups (such as A+ to O-) causes an immune response against the cells carrying the antigen, resulting in transfusion reaction.

The immune system attacks the donated blood cells, causing them to burst. This may cause serious symptoms, including kidney failure and shock. Antigens also occur on other blood components, including white blood cells, platelets, and plasma proteins.

These components also cause a similar type of transfusion reaction. Alternatively, antibodies in the transfused blood can bind the patient's own blood cells, also causing a reaction.

Today, all blood is carefully screened. Modern lab methods and redundant checks have helped make transfusion reactions extremely rare.

Symptoms Return to top

Signs and tests Return to top

Symptoms of transfusion reaction usually appear during or immediately after the transfusion. Occasionally, they may develop after several days (delayed reaction). Symptoms may remain mild or progress to kidney failure, delayed anemia, or shock.

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Treatment Return to top

The goal of treatment is to prevent or treat severe effects of transfusion reaction. If symptoms occur during the transfusion, the transfusion is stopped. Blood samples from the person receiving the transfusion (and from remaining donor blood) may be tested to confirm that symptoms are caused by transfusion reaction.

Mild symptoms may be treated according to the symptom. Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine may reduce itching and rash. Acetaminophen may be recommended to reduce fever and discomfort. Corticosteroids such as prednisone or dexamethasone may be given to reduce the immune response. Intravenous fluids and various medications may be used to treat/prevent kidney failure and shock.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

The outcome varies depending on the severity of the reaction. The disorder may disappear completely and without problems. However, it may be severe and life threatening.

Complications Return to top

Discomfort
Anemia
Acute kidney failure
Shock
Lung disfunction

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Notify your health care provider if a blood transfusion is planned and previous transfusion reaction has occurred.

Prevention Return to top

Typing of donated blood into ABO and Rh groups has reduced the risk of transfusion reaction.

Prior to a transfusion, blood is usually crossmatched to further confirm that the blood is compatible. A small amount of donor blood is mixed with a small amount of recipient blood and the mixture is examined under a microscope for signs of antibody reaction.

Update Date: 6/5/2003

Updated by: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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