Gamma irradiation and red cell haemolysis: a study at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre
- Author:
Rabeya Yousuf
;
Mohd Herman Mobin
;
Chooi Fun Leong
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
irradiation;
blood-unit;
haemolysis;
potassium;
lactate-dehydrogenase
- From:The Malaysian Journal of Pathology
2015;37(2):91-94
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Gamma-irradiation of blood components is regarded a safe procedure used for prevention of transfusionassociated
graft-versus-host disease. However, reports showed that irradiation can cause erythrocyte
haemolysis and damage to the RBC membrane. In Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre
(UKMMC), a number of suspected transfusion reactions (TR) featured unusual isolated episodes
of red-coloured-urine or haemoglobinuria among paediatric patients without clinical features of
acute haemolytic TR. Haemolysis of irradiated red cells was suspected as a cause. This study was
conducted to evaluate haemolytic changes of RBC components following irradiation. A prospective,
pre- and post- irradiation comparative study was conducted on 36 paired RBC-components in the
blood-bank, UKMMC in the year 2013. Samples were tested for plasma-Hb, percent-haemolysis,
plasma-potassium (K+) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level. Post-irradiation mean plasma-Hb
and percent-haemolysis were significantly higher than pre-irradiation values at 0.09±0.06g/dl VS
0.10±0.06g/dl and 0.19±0.13% VS 0.22±0.13% respectively, while plasma-K+ and LDH values
did not show significant difference. However, the mean percent-haemolysis level was still within
recommended acceptable levels for clinical use, supporting that irradiated RBC units were safe and
of acceptable quality for transfusion. There was no conclusive reason for isolated haemoglobinuria
following transfusion of irradiated red-cell products. Further research is suggested to investigate
the other possible causes.
- Full text:P020150915453265399216.pdf
