BLOOD GROUP GENOTYPING CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE TRANSFUSION SUPPORT WITH ANTIGEN-MATCHED BLOOD IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS

Abstract

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) require multiple transfusions with red blood cell (RBC) components, which exposes them to numerous, possible foreign antigens and potentially causes them to produce an antibody or antibodies to the antigens they lack. Once a clinically significant antibody is produced, units of RBCs that lack the associate antigens should be transfused. As previously reported blood group genotyping can contribute significantly in the quality of phenotyped blood transfusion units in patients with sickle cell disease. Based on this we intend to develop an effective strategy to meet RBC compatible units to SCD patients using DNA analysis and follow the improvement of the transfusion to establish a transfusion support in such patients.Moreover, the possibility of studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the blood group variants of specific antigens present in sickle cell patients, can help in the selection of appropriate transfused blood and even identify new alleles. Considering that some blood groups systems as Rh, Kell, Kidd and Diego are directly involved in severe anemia, it is important to assess the role of these systems in patients with sickle cell disease through serological, molecular and clinical studies. We believe that blood group genotyping can contribute to the management of transfusions in SCD patients by facilitating the transfusion support with antigen-matched blood. It has the potential to improve the life of thousands of SCD transfused patients by reducing mortality due to transfusion reactions and immunization.