High rates of anti-alpha IIb beta 3 antibodies produced by a Glanzmann thrombasthenia patient after first and unique red blood cells administration

Immunization against the platelet alpha IIb beta 3 glycoprotein due to blood transfusion represents one of the most severe complications in Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) disease. Anti-alpha IIb beta 3 isoantibodies development may lead to ineffective platelet transfusion and can, in case of pregnancy, cross the placenta leading to fetal thrombocytopenia. We describe here the case of a girl with type I GT who developed high rates of anti-alpha IIb beta 3 isoantibodies after first and unique blood transfusion. Surprisingly, this patient had only received red blood cell concentrates and immunization was presumably stimulated by the residual presence of platelets in concentrates. This study emphasizes the need for regular anti-alpha IIb beta 3 antibodies screening in GT, even though patients have never been previously transfused with platelet concentrates.