Anti-s Antibody-Associated Delayed Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction in Patients With Sickle Cell Anemia.

Purpose: Signs and symptoms of delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) may resemble those of vaso-occlusive crises in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). The diagnosis of DHTR therefore presents a challenge to the clinician when treating such patients. The current study describes a patient with SCA and DHTR secondary to red cell anti-s antibody, manifesting as painful extremeties, severe hemolytic anemia, and acute oliguric renal failure., Patient and Methods: A 17-year-old patient with homozygous hemoglobin S presented 8 days after partial exchange transfusions with severe anemia and signs and symptoms resembling vaso-occlusive crisis. Clinical course was complicated by intravascular hemolysis and acute renal failure., Results: Anti-s antibody was detected in the eluate. Diagnosis of DHTR was made. Treatment included single volume whole blood exchange transfusion and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with dialysis., Conclusions: The possibility of DHTR should be considered in a patient with SCA with hemolytic anemia. Acute renal failure is a rare complication of anti-s antibody-associated DHTR. Such reactions can be successfully managed with exchange transfusion and continuous hemofiltration with dialysis., (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.