RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: An acute hemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR) caused by intravascular hemolysis features a decrease in hemoglobin/hematocrit, reduced haptoglobin, and increases in creatinine, and bilirubin. Acute intravascular hemolysis carries its own morbidity and mortality, especially in the setting of a patient liver disease related pre-existing alterations in hemostasis. Additionally, AHTR significantly impacts the laboratory values used in calculating the Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and thus liver transplant status. CASE REPORT: Herein, we present a case of a patient with hepatorenal syndrome due to ESLD on the transplant list who developed an AHTR due to an evolving anti-Jka that initially presented as non-specific reactivity in solid phase adherence testing. This evolving antibody caused intravascular hemolysis and a significant increase in bilirubin from 4.7 to 17.1 mg/dl, thus, raising the MELD score, increasing the predicted short-term mortality risk, and affecting the patient's transplant status. RESULTS: Acute hemolysis caused significant elevation of bilirubin raising the MELD score which increased both the predicted mortality to 70 percent and the perceived urgency of transplant. The MELD score improved after resolution of the AHTR and clearing of the offending Jka-positive RBCs. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the effect of AHTR on parameters used in the determination of MELD score which significantly increases the perceived short-term mortality and urgency of liver transplant. Therefore, any nonspecific reactivity in initial workup could be due to developing antibodies, and put the patient at higher risk for an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad Hepática en Estado Terminal , Reacción a la Transfusión , Humanos , Enfermedad Hepática en Estado Terminal/cirugía , Hemólisis , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Bilirrubina , AnticuerposRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination and associated septic transfusion reactions (STRs) remain the leading infectious risk to the blood supply. We sought to characterize the risk and clinical presentation of blood culture-positive transfusion reactions (BCPTRs) and STRs at our institution. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all suspected transfusion reactions reported to the transfusion service at a 1000-bed tertiary academic medical center from January 2009 to September 2016. Routine investigation included review of the clinical presentation, Gram stain, and bacterial culture of residual blood from the transfused product or associated blood bag. BCPTRs were defined by the presence of a positive bacterial culture in the blood product and/or recipient. STRs met definitive Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hemovigilance criteria for transfusion-transmitted infection, with definite imputability and concordant bacterial culture of the blood product and recipient. RESULTS: A total of 688,514 blood products were transfused during the study period, 3170 transfusion reactions were reported, and 18 (0.57%) were BCPTRs of which seven (0.22%) were STRs. Fifteen of 18 (83.3%) BCPTRs and six of seven (85.7%) were associated with transfusion of apheresis platelets. Major symptoms and signs of BCPTRs included chills (67%), fever (61%), and nausea and vomiting (50%). Four of seven (57.1%) STRs were classified as severe or life-threatening. CONCLUSION: BCPTRs are rare yet potentially serious. The signs and symptoms of BCPTRs, and associated STRs, are not specific, posing risk of misclassification. Challenges surrounding reporting and case ascertainment underscore the need for laboratory measures to address residual risk of contamination.