HYPERHAEMOLYSIS IN A BETA-THALASSEMIA PAT IENT RELATED TO AN ASSOCIATION OF RED-CELL ALLOANTIBODIES AND AUTOANTIBODIES

Alloimmunization to red cell antigens and haemolytic transfusion react ions may occur after red blood cell transfusion. We describe a case of life threatening postransfusion hyperhaemolysis in a beta thalassaemi a patient. For many years, transfusion therapy was stopped but the pat ient developed a profound anaemia which required splenectomy. At that time, the serum contained a red cell alloantibody with anti-KN3 specif icity. In vivo red cell survival studies were performed trying to dete rmine the capacity of this antibody to cause red cell destruction. Unf ortunately, these studies triggered again an intense haemolytic proces s explained by the appearance of red cell auto- and alloantibodies. Th is case underlines a possible link between the development of alloimmu nization and the induction of potentially serious autoimmune haemolyti c anaemia.