Platelet‐specific antibodies in transfused patients

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Abstract
Sera of 104 patients with haematological diseases, transfused with platelets and sometimes also with red cells, were prospectively investigated in: the lymphocytotoxicity test (LCT), the platelet suspension immunofluorescence test (PSIFT) and the monoclonal antibody immunobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) technique. All tests on admission were negative. The overall incidence of alloantibodies after transfusions was 30.8%. Platelet-specific antibodies were, however, detected much more rarely (9.6%) than anti-HLA (21.3%). The specificity against HPA antigens was defined in 4 (3.9%) patients: anti-HPA-la, 2b, 3a and 5b. In the remaining 6 (5.7%) cases only the glycoproteins on platelets were identified (GPIb and GPIIIa) which gave positive reaction with the antibodies. Our observations indicate a rather low incidence of platelet-specific antibodies after transfusions.