Post-transfusion purpura as the main manifestation of a trilineal transfusion reaction, responsive to steroids: flow-cytometric investigation of granulocyte and platelet antibodies

We report a typical case of post-transfusion purpura (PTP) due to anti-PlA1 in a 65-year-old woman. Serological studies were carried out using flow cytometry (FCM). The patient also developed red cell alloantibodies that produced a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) and broad HLA antibodies. Treatment with high-dose intravenous IgG (HDIgG; a first-generation preparation) was ineffective, but a course of steroids resulted in a rapid increase in the the platelet count.

Dental care for HIV-positive patients

This case-controlled study compared the types of routine dental services provided to an HIV-infected group with those provided to an HIV-negative cohort. No statistical differences in requesting dental treatment (routine or emergency) or in the types of dental treatment provided to the two groups were reported, except in the provision of prosthetic dentistry and the development of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Mimicking anti-S simulating a delayed transfusion reaction

An autoantibody mimicking anti-S specificity is described in an S-s+ patient. The antibody was detected 2 weeks after transfusion. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was positive and the antibody was thought to be an alloantibody formed after the transfusion. Eighteen months later, the DAT was still positive and anti-S could be eluted from the patient's red blood cells in spite of the fact that these were S-s+. The autoantibody was characterized as mimicking anti-S specificity by in vitro absorption studies. It was present during the 3 years in which the patient was observed without causing hemolitic anemia.

Another example of mimicking anti-Kpb in a Kp(a+b-) patient

Autoantibodies the specificity of which mimicks Kpb specificity are described in a patient whose phenotype is Kp(a+b-). Manual typing of the patient's red cells revealed a depression of the Kell-related antigens. However, this weak reactivity was not found in the Autoanalyzer using bromeline PVP, the percentage of agglutination being similar to that of red cells of normal blood donors. Alloanti-K antibodies were present in the patient's serum. The specificity of the autoantibodies was considered to be mimicking because they could be absorbed by and eluted from Kpb- and Ko (AET-treated) red cells.