Prevalence and specificities of red blood cell alloantibodies in transfused Ugandans with different diseases

Abstract

The prevalence of RBC alloimmunization in transfused Ugandans was 6.1% and was associated with the number of donor exposures. This immunization rate is similar to that observed in transfused Caucasians despite differences in RBC antigen distributions. Patients with malaria were less likely to develop RBC alloantibodies. Alloantibodies were mainly against E and S antigens. We recommend the introduction of pretransfusion antibody tests in Uganda depending on the recipient's diagnosis.