TRALI and Male-only Plasma

[SMILLER]

Does anyone have an opinion on the idea of using only male plasma as a way to cut down on TRALI cases? A study in the Netherlands found a reduction of 33% with this idea.

Supposedly male plasma is less likely to contain antileukocyte antibodies.

Thanks, Scott

[jerriemc]

I don't remember where I got this information, but one reason that we do not use only male plasma is that more women donate than men. The concern is that this would greatly decrease the amount of plasma available.

[Mabel Adams]

Both the UK and the US have done significant studies and in large part changed national policy to use only male plasma. (In the US we still get AB plasma from women donors.) There seems to be a significant reduction in TRALI although I believe they were aiming more at reduction in HLA antibodies than anti-neutrophil antibodies although the latter are sometimes also implicated in TRALI.

[SMILLER]

Well gee, I just found out that our blood supplier has indeed been sending us male plasma (and non-gravida female) plasma for some time.

Doesn't seem to be a supply problem even though its cut in half--it would be much worse if the pRBC supply was cut!

Scott

[KarenJ]

Our supplier has been sending male plasma for several years now. We haven't noticed any supply issues.

[tbostock]

Same here as KarenJ. We always have enough plasma.

[pbaker]

Same here regarding supply.

[DOGLOVER]

Our supplier uses only male plasma but due to supply problems our platelets (we get all apheresis plts) are from both male and female. They couldn't meet the need using only male plt donors.