Prevalence of alloimmunization in patients with sickle cell anemia in Khuzestan province

Sickle Cell Disease is the second most common hemoglobinopathy after thalassemia and is characterized by vascular occlusion and hemolytic anemia. Blood transfusion is considered as a supportive treatment for patients with sickle cell disease. The alloimmunization of red blood cells is a major challenge in these patients. Accordingly, supplying the appropriate antigennegative blood units is a major problem in blood transfusion. The aim of this study was to= evaluate the alloimmunization rates among individuals with Sickle Cell Disease in Khuzestan province.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 184 patients with sickle cell anemia and sickle-thalassemia were referred to the Shahid Beqaei hospital in Ahvaz. 5-10 mL of peripheral blood containing the anticoagulant EDTA was collected by non-random sampling procedure. The prevalence of phenotypes and the rate of alloimmunization were determined by the hemagglutination technique.

The prevalence of alloimmunization in this population was 13.0%. In 24 patients, twelve types of alloantibodies were detected. The most common alloantibodies were Anti-E (33.3%, n = 8), Anti-c (20.8%, n = 5), Anti-D (16.6%, n = 4), and Anti- Kell (16.6%, n 4).

Antibody against Rh blood group system and anti-Kell were the most prevalent alloantibodies among sickle cell anemia patients in the province of Khuzestan. Therefore, it is highly recommended to transfuse these individuals with blood units compatible with the Rh (D, C, c, and E) and Kell antigens.