is it possible to have antibodies without previouse transfusion ? we had a new patient male 60 years old with antibodies non specifice we cannot find any compatible blood for him and he said he never transfused in anyohter hospital ?

if this case is emergency what is the option?

It could be an interference of medication. If you have a technical manual from AABB it explains that a lot of medications may interfere with coombs testing. In our institution the Dr. would have to sign that the patient's life is in danger and he needs incompatible blood. It usually works out OK for our patients they receive the unit and are fine but I would definitely make sure the RN watches the patient's vitals.

Edited October 15, 201014 yr by bduff

Also, keep in mind that patients don't always know that they have been transfused. We've had cases of alloantibodies (not naturally occurring ones), and patients insist they have never been transfused, then tell you "I had open heart surgery in the 80's but I didn't get any blood". Guess what? Yes you did!

Thanks Terri

Terri makes a very good point, one that we've seen as well. Many people don't realize they've been transfused because they were anesthetized, comatose, or otherwise unable to realize or remember it happened. I'm curious as to the nature of the "nonspecific" antibody. Is it an alloantibody or autoantibody? Does it seem to be IgM or IgG? What technique(s) are you using to detect it? Could it be a reagent problem? There are many possibilities.

Yes, I was also wondering about the auto test and the DAT.

:confused::confused:

You have to type this antibody first eg. allo or auto etc..

The other things that could be important are;

a) the ethic origin of your patient, and

the underlying pathology.

is it possible to have antibodies without previouse transfusion ? we had a new patient male 60 years old with antibodies non specifice we cannot find any compatible blood for him and he said he never transfused in anyohter hospital ?

if this case is emergency what is the option?

If this case is emergency, I will see if his aotocontrol is positive, if pos I will choose a unit which is weaker than his autocontrol; but if the auto is neg, I will be carful . I think it is an alloantibody, but by those test I don't know if it is clinical significant, bu careful I will chose his relatives to donate cells to see if I can find reaction neg cells . Of course all the reaction is in 37 degree C AHG phase.

Edited October 16, 201014 yr by shily
correct error