Abstract
Allergic reactions, including urticaria, are the most frequently observed symptoms of non-hemolytic transfusion reactions. Although it is easy to consider that allergic reactions are induced by IgE-mediated type I allergy, there is only limited evidence for this possibility. In addition to IgE-dependent activation, IgE-independent direct activation of mast cells/basophils is also found, for example in some allergies to contrast media. Therefore, the direct activation of mast cells/basophils might plausibly be involved in allergic transfusion reactions. In such cases, basophil antibody, including HLA antibody, is a good candidate for the direct stimulator of mast cells/basophils. In this study, we developed a detection system for basophil antibody by modifying our previously developed 5-cell lineage immunofluorescence test. Using this detection system, we examined 23 cases of allergic transfusion reaction. Results showed non-HLA leucocyte antibodies in 14 patient samples and 6 blood components. Of these 20, 7 samples contained antibodies against basophils.
