We studied the characteristics of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies developed after transfusion of platelets and red blood cells using leukocyte-removal filters in 14 patients with acute leukemia treated in our hospital from 1990 to 1992. A nonfilter group of 10 patients similarly multitransfused with acute leukemia treated from 1984 to 1986 were also studied. In the filter group, Class I anti-HLA antibodies were developed in 14% (2 of 14) of patients. The sera of these two patients showed the HLA specificities anti-B55+B56 and anti-A19, respectively. Refractoriness to platelet transfusion did not occur in these patients. In the nonfilter group, Class I anti-HLA antibodies developed in 20% (2 of 10) of patients.
These sera contained multispecific anti-HLA antibodies. Both patients showed refractoriness to platelets transfusion. All four patients who developed anti-HLA antibodies had a history of pregnancy.
