Antibody against Human Leukocyte Antigens in female blood donors with and without previous abortion

Antibodies against Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is produced following blood transfusion, pregnancy or organ transplants. These antibodies are involved in abortion and even present in non-allommunized healthy people. Anti-HLA antibodies lead to some complications of blood transfusion; therefore, this study was performed with aim to determine the frequency of HLA antibodies among blood donors focusing on females (with and without previous pregnancy and abortion). In this descriptive survey which was performed in 2016,214 blood donors referring to Tabriz blood transfusion center with age range of 18-62 years, including 57 females (26.6%) with age range of 23-59 years (mean age of 38.7 ± 9.3 years) and 157 male (73.4%) with age range of 18-62 years (mean age of 36.2 ± 9.7 years) were evaluated. Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA) test by test by lymphocytotoxicity with complement (CDC) method was used to evaluate anti-leukocyte antibodies. Demographic information and the number of pregnancy/abortion were recorded in information forms. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16) and Chi-square and Pearson correlation coefficient. P 23 cases (10.75%) including 22 females (8 without and 14 with previous pregnancy and abortion) and one male had positive results for PRA, and the others were negative. The frequency of positive results of PRA were higher in women (P <0.0001). No relationship was found between these antibodies and pregnancy number, but the frequency of HLA antibody and PRA positive cases was significantly different between women with and without history of abortion (P <0.001) and was significantly associated with the number of abortion (r=0.52, p<0.0001). The number of abortion affects sensitization or immunization during pregnancy. Increasing the number of abortions increases the likelihood of immunization. These antibodies were seen in healthy subjects without history of pregnancy and even in men. The decision to evaluate the plasma of men and women without previous pregnancy prior to injection requires cost-benefit studies.