Anti-Erythrocyte Allo-Immunization to Sickle Cell Disease Patients Followed in Transfusion Therapy Unit of the National Blood Transfusion Center of Abidjan Côte D’Ivoire

The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency of post-transfusion anti-erythrocyte allo-immunization to sickle cell patients in order to propose strategies of optimal blood safety in Coted'Ivoire. It is a prospective study (January to December 2013) of patients with major sickle cell disease enrolled in the transfusion therapy unit of the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS)in Abidjan. The reed blood cells have been phenotyped and compatibilized by indirect Coombs test in the ABO and Rh Kel systems. The search for irregular antibodies was performed before each transfusion episode. The incidence of post-transfusion anti-erythrocyte allo-immunization to the sickle cell disease patients were high (12/42 or 28.6%). We identified 14 allo-antibodies essentially anti-Rh specificity (12/14) with a high prevalence of anti-E allo-antibodies (6/14) and anti-C (4/14). None anti-Kel antibodies was found. This study raises the risk of allo-immunization in non-phenotyped and non-compatibilized transfusions, especially in sickle cell multitransfused. The erythrocyte phenotyping should be systematic to all major sickle cell patients.