Relationship between allergic sensitisation-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms and allergic transfusion reactions and febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions in paediatric cases

Background: Allergic transfusion reactions (ATR) and febrile non-haemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTR) are common transfusion-related adverse reactions; however, their pathogenesis remains unclear and it is difficult to predict their occurrence. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are related to the onset of various diseases and therapy-related adverse events; therefore, identification of SNP related to transfusion-related adverse reactions may help to elucidate the underlying mechanism and predict the onset of these reactions.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively analysed the association between the onset of ATR or FNHTR and 22 allergic sensitisation-related SNP in 219 children (aged ≤20 years) who had haematological and oncological diseases and who had received transfusions of platelets and/or red blood cell concentrates.

Results: Among the 219 children, 105 had developed an ATR and/or FNHTR at least once. The patients who developed ATR frequently had a risk allele in rs6473223, while the patients who developed FNHTR frequently had a risk allele in rs10893845. Furthermore, patients who developed ATR accompanied by febrile symptoms also frequently had a risk allele in rs10893845, similar to patients who developed FNHTR.

Discussion: The results suggested that allergic sensitisation is associated with the onset of ATR and/or FNHTR in some patients. Although further prospective evaluation is necessary, analysis of these SNP might help to provide safer transfusion therapy by predicting patients at higher risk of transfusion-related adverse reactions and further clarifying the pathogenic mechanism underlying such reactions.