Alloimmunization and autoimmunity in Caucasian patients with sickle cell disease

Purpose: The present study was designed in order to evaluate the extent of alloimmunization against erythrocyte antigens and the presence of autoantib odies in Caucasian patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Patients and Methods: One hundred and four patients with SCD and 150 normal subjects, matched by age and sex, were studied. Laboratory analyses includ ed blood grouping, screening and identification of antibodies toward erythr ocyte antigens, serum autoantibodies (antinuclear, ANA; anti-smooth muscle, ASMA; anti-mitochondrial, AMA; anti-double stranded DNA). Results: Alloimmunization against erythrocyte antigens was present in 5.1% of transfused patients and autoantibodies were present in 12.5% of patients . Conclusions: The extent of the alterations found in our Caucasian patients was lower than the one reported in other studies carried out on patients of African descent.