Significance of Rh blood group system in safe transfusion.

Objective To study the distribution of irregular antibodies in the serum samples positive in cross-matching test and confirm the significance of Rh blood group system in safe transfusion as well as blood transfusion strategy.Methods The serum samples positive in cross-matching test of 153 patients applying for blood matching from January 2007 to December 2008 were subjected to blood grouping,irregular antibody screening,identification of specificity and cross-matching test by saline medium method,polybrene test,Coombs test and papain test.Results A total of 134 samples were positive for irregular antibodies,of which 68(50.75%) for anti-Rh antibodies.The anti-Rh antibodies were induced by multiple pregnancy in 12 patients,by repeat blood transfusion in 55 patients,and was self-specific in one patient.Ten samples(7.46%)were positive for antibodies in blood group systems other than ABO and Rh systems,and 56(41.79%)for self antibodies.Conclusion Rh immunization is the prominent cause of cross-mismatching or haemolytic transfusion reaction.The transfusion with blood of the same Rh factors as those of donee is an important strategy to prevent Rh immunization in patients receiving long-term transfusion.