Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR), anti-Jo(a)

Status: 
Ready to upload
Record number: 
1921
Adverse Occurrence type: 
MPHO Type: 
Estimated frequency: 
Few reports published and relatively unknown clinical significance
Time to detection: 
Two weeks after the first red blood cell transfusion
Alerting signals, symptoms, evidence of occurrence: 
A 32-year-old African-American woman with a history of sickle cell disease was presented for surgical evaluation. She has a history of anti-Fy(a). In the course of the compatibility testing the identification study was inconclusive. One unit of weakly crossmatch-incompatible fy(a-), C-, E-, K- and HbS-negative RBCs was transfused without incident. Anti-Jo(a) and anti-Jk(b) were reported by the reference lab several days later. Fortunately, the transfused RBC unit was Jk(b-) and the crossmatch was attributed to anti-Jo(a). Two weeks after the transfusion of a Jo(a) incompatible red blood cell unit the patient developed fever (38.4ºC) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), potassium and creatinine increase.
Demonstration of imputability or root cause: 
There was no other reliable cause that could explain the clinical and biological findings.
Imputability grade: 
3 Definite/Certain/Proven
Groups audience: 
Suggest references: 
Jajosky RP, Lumm WC, Wise SC, Bollag RJ, Shikle JF. (2017). A suspected delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction mediated by anti-Joa. Immunohematology 2017 Jun;33(2):73-75.
Expert comments for publication: 
There was no patient follow-up despite the transfusion of a second incompatible Jo(a) red blood cell unit. This is curious because a worsening of clinical signs and symptoms should be expected.