Red blood cell antigen immunization

Project leader: Jaap-Jan Zwaginga MD PhD

Two studies unravel the susceptibility for red blood cell (RBC) antigen immunization.

The LOTUS study

The first is the LOTUS study (project leaders: H Schonewille, A Brand in collaboration with the LOTUS consortium), evaluating the incidence and long-term persistence of fetal versus (intra-uterine) transfusion induced antigen exposure and its relationship with HLA-antigens, HLA-antibodies and fetal chimerism in a large cohort of women treated for hemolytic disease of the newborn between 1987-2009. Within the Lotus consortium the effect of severe fetal anemia on long-term neurodevelopment impairment (NDI) is evaluated (project leader: E Lopriore). By the end of 2010, 281 mother-child pairs were included and being evaluated.

The R-fact study

The second study is a multi-center case cohort study, the R-fact (Risk factors for alloimmunization after erythrocyte transfusion; project leaders: JG van der Bom, JJ Zwaginga) which aims to examine the association between clinical, environmental and genetic characteristics of recipients of erythrocyte transfusions and the risk of immunization against RBC allo-antigens. In 2010 a pilot study with 42 participants showed the feasibility of the medical and logistical aspects, including the use of a participant questionnaire and a voluntary blood sample collection. Besides the Leiden Medical University Center, seven additional large red blood cell product using hospitals are preparing for cooperation.