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Review
. 2019 Oct;56(4):236-240.
doi: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2019.11.001. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

Red Cell Transfusions in the Genomics Era

Jamal H Carter  1 , Willy A Flegel  2
Affiliations
Review

Red Cell Transfusions in the Genomics Era

Jamal H Carter et al. Semin Hematol. 2019 Oct.

Abstract

Red cell genotyping has become widely available and now contributes to support transfusion of patients with hematologic diseases. This technology has facilitated the immunohematologic approach to antibody prevention, detection and identification. Donors, particularly rare donors, are most efficiently screened and identified by red cell genotyping. In transfused patients with challenging serologic reactivity, antibodies are more reliably identified when molecular typing information is available. Red cell genotyping of both donors and patients augments the selection of blood components. This technology, serving at the core of a real-time database inventory, is resulting in blood supply efficiencies. However, there is limited published evidence on the extent to which red cell genotyping has translated into improved clinical outcomes. Red cell alloimmunized patients may benefit the most in enhanced safety. For patients with antibodies to high-prevalence antigens, other than Rh, blood centers realized supply-chain efficiencies in the past decade. Prospective clinical trials and cost-effectiveness studies would contribute to further clarifying the optimal role of molecular testing in providing transfusion support for patients with hematologic diseases.

Keywords: Blood group; Hematologic disease; Molecular immunohematology; Red cell genotyping; Red cells; Transfusion.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest or competing financial or personal relationships that could influence the content of this article.

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