The Occurrence of Alloantibodies among Multitransfused Oncology Patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the presence and type of specific antibodies among multi transfused oncology patients, that causes alloimmunization, the ABO and Rhesus blood group that is most affected by alloimmunization among multi transfused oncology patients, gender and age group that is most alloimmunized. The research study was conducted using experimental design. The sample size of the study was one hundred and sixty-two (162). Oncology patients were obtained through non-Probabilistic. The study used Non probabilistic and consecutive sampling which included all the subjects that were available. The one sixty-two (162) samples of multitransfused oncology patients who met the inclusion criteria were screened to determine the presence of alloantibodies. Out of 162 screened samples 152 had no alloantibodies, 10 were positive on antibody screening test resulting to Positivity rate of 10/162(6%). The findings of the identification of the type of alloantibodies in samples of multitransfused oncology patients, were as follows: out of ten (10) samples that had alloantibodies, five (5) samples had anti E, 5/10(50%), three (3) sample had anti K that is 3/10(30%) anti C, and anti D each had one alloantibody 1/10(10%). Alloimmunization are attributed to lack of proper management following potential sensitization events before and after blood transfusions. There is need to improve on the current practices of blood grouping and cross match in most of our Kenyan hospitals.