Evaluation of ABO Isoagglutinin Titers in O Group Apheresis-Derived Platelet Concentrates Collected in Platelet Additive Solution

Introduction: ABO incompatible single donor platelet (SDP) transfusion carries higher risk of allergic and acute hemolytic reactions during and post transfusion. Avoiding such incidents typically involves assessing titers or reducing plasma content, which can be inconvenient and time-intensive. Platelet additive solutions (PASs) offer an alternative. These crystalloid solutions help lower the incidence of the transfusion reactions. Aims and Objective: We aimed to investigate titers of naturally occurring Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies in “O” blood group apheresis donors and compare these titers with PAS-suspended apheresis platelet concentrates of the same donor. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra. SDPs of Group “O” ( n = 20) were collected using a cell separator (Hemonetics MCS+). PAS was added to the apheresis platelets in ratio 70:30 (PAS: Plasma) during the preparation process under sterile conditions. The study analyzed titers of Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies in the plasma of the donor and compared them with titers in PAS-suspended apheresis platelets. Results: Study group results deduced that the median Anti-A and Anti-B antibody titers (anti-A, anti-B) depleted from 128 to 32, post PAS addition, which is a significant reduction compared to the baseline levels of titer in donor plasma. It was also noted that the antibody reduction was more in Anti-A in contrast to Anti-B. Conclusion: It could be computed by the results that the median anti-A and anti-B antibody titers were lower in O group apheresis-derived platelets suspended in PAS than in O blood group donor plasma. This can be implemented to upgrade the inventory of the SDPs available at the blood center. The beneficial effect of the reduced antibody titer can also be enforced in achieving reduced acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.