Alloimmunisation in polytransfused patients with non-phenotyped red blood cells at the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Introduction: in Burkina Faso, blood transfusion is carried out with only ABO and RHD compatibility between the donor and the recipient. Such a practice carries risks of alloimmunisation, which can lead to clinical complications especially in polytransfused patients. The objective is to determine the prevalence and factors associated with alloimmunisation in polytransfused patients with non-phenotyped red blood cells at Souro Sanou University Hospital. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in polytransfused patients in the clinical departments of the University Hospital Souro Sanou over a 3-month period (March to May 2019). In each of the 141 patients included, 5 ml of whole blood was collected in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tube for testing for irregular antibodies. Irregular antibody testing was performed using the indirect Coombs gel filtration technical. Results: in total, the frequency of alloimmunisation obtained was 5.67%. The majority of the antibodies identified belonged to the Rhesus systems and Kell. We found no statistically significant relationship between age, sex, disease history, number of bags transfused and the positivity of the Irregular Antibody test (p = 0.37, p = 0, 75, p = 0.96). Conclusion: we found that the risk of alloimmunisation is major. Additional measures should be taken to strengthen the immunological safety of transfusions in Burkina Faso. We propose that in Burkina Faso, anti-globulin compatibility testing should be performed systematically in patients with a high risk of immunisation.