RhD+ Blood Transfusion to Asian-type DEL Recipients

Red blood cells (RBCs) from Asian-type DEL blood group express very weak RhD antigen and are falsely typed as RhD-negative blood group in routine RhD testing. Until now, Asian-type DEL (D-eluate) patients still be treated as rare RhD-negative patients in the clinic. Previous study from the Asian-type DEL pregnant women with RhD+ fetus showed no occurrence of alloanti-D immunization. This result, however, does not directly be applied for Asian-type DEL patients receiving RhD+ blood transfusions, as lacking of direct evidence regarding the safety and underlying mechanism. In this study, the patients with Asian-type DEL were identified and received RhD+ blood transfusion, then evaluations of any adverse reactions, especially the active follow-up alloantibody test, were prospectively conducted.

Inclusion criteria for eligible participants were as follows: (1) Asian-type DEL blood group; (2) male patients, or female patients ≥ 49 years of age, or female with severe illness and no plan for further pregnancy; (3) needing blood transfusion in line with guidelines for internal medicine or surgery; and (4) signed voluntary informed consent for blood transfusion treatment before the trial. The exclusion criteria were: (1) adverse reaction in a previous transfusion; (2) allergies to blood products or immunodeficiency diseases; (3) needing massive blood transfusion for acute blood loss; (4) positive pregnancy test results; (5) conscious dysfunction or severe mental illness; and (6) unsuitability for the study, as estimated by the principal investigators.