Febrile nonhaemolytic transfusion reaction caused by antibodies against human platelet antigen 5a

Anti-human platelet antigens (HPA) alloantibodies are seldom involved in febrile nonhaemolytic reactions (FNHTRs). We describe a case in which anti-HPA-5a alloantibodies are related to an FNHTR. We studied the specificity of the alloantibodies by flow cytometry, ELISA and MACE. Typing of donors and the patient was performed by sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction. The alloantibodies were found reactive with HPA-5a antigens. The patient was HPA-5b/b, whereas the donor of the platelet apheresis involved in the FNHTR was HPA-5a/a. Despite the low frequency of anti-HPA-5a antibodies, they might be responsible for FNHTR.     

Frequency and specificity of platelet-specific alloantibodies in HLA-immunized haematologic–oncologic patients

The frequency and specificity of platelet-alloantibodies to human platelet antigens (HPA) -1, -3 and -5 was investigated in 59 multitransfused, HLA-immunized patients. Using the MAIPA test (monoclonal antibody specific immobilization of platelet antigens) platelet alloantibodies could be demonstrated in 10 (17%) patients.   In one patient the antibody was present prior to any transfusions and probably induced by multiple previous pregnancies. This antibody was directed to HPA-5b. The remaining nine antibodies were found in patients ( n  = 36) with HLA-antibodies reacting with over 95% of unselected lymphocytes. In these patients the target antigens were HPA-1b in six, HPA-3a in one and both antigens in two patients.   Our findings demonstrate platelet alloimmunization induced by transfusions to be restricted to patients with high HLA-immunization. 25% of these patients (9/36) show platelet-specific antibodies, primarily HPA-1b.     

Post-transfusion purpura (PTP) associated with anti-HPA-1a, anti-HPA-2b and anti-HPA-3a antibodies

The serum from an 85-year-old man with a clinical diagnosis of post-transfusion purpura (PTP) was investigated for the presence of platelet-specific antibodies. Clinically, the case was typical of PTP but, unusually, the serum was found to contain multiple platelet-specific alloantibodies. Anti-HPA-1a, anti-HPA-2b and anti-HPA-3a antibodies were detected together with multispecific anti-HLA (class I) antibodies. Additional (but weaker) antibody reactivity was also observed with platelet glycoproteins (Gp) IIb/IIIa, GpIb and GpIa/IIa which lacked the antigens recognized by the alloantibodies, suggesting the presence of auto- or cross-reacting antibodies. The patient's genotype was HPA-1b/1b, HPA-2a/2a, HPA-3b/3b, HPA-5a/5b and was consistent with the platelet alloantibodies detected. The patient made a complete recovery following treatment with intravenous gamma-globulin.     

Relevance of the HPA-15 (Gov) polymorphism on CD109 in alloimmune thrombocytopenic syndromes

BACKGROUND: Alloantibodies against the human platelet (PLT) alloantigen (HPA)-15 system residing on CD109 can cause fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), posttransfusion purpura, and PLT transfusion refractoriness. The detection of antibodies against HPA-15, however, is hampered by the variable low expression and instability of the CD109 molecule during preparation and storage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study analyzed the occurrence of HPA-15 alloantibodies in 1403 patients: 930 FNAIT and 473 polytransfused (PT) patients by modified monoclonal antibody specific immobilization of PLT antigens (MAIPA) assay with well-defined phenotyped PLTs. A DNA typing technique was developed to confirm the phenotypes of PLT donors. B-cell lines were established as sources of reference DNA. RESULTS: Genotyping of 407 unrelated blood donors revealed the gene frequencies 0.512 and 0.488 for HPA-15a and -15b, respectively. Based on the selection of PLTs expressing high amounts of CD109 on the surface (mean fluorescence intensity ratio 4-5 on expression peak on Days 2-4 after apheresis) antibody screening by the MAIPA assay was performed. In total, 16 (1.1%) HPA-15 alloantibodies were found comprising four anti-HPA-15a and 12 anti-HPA-15b. Anti-HPA-15b without other PLT-reactive antibodies were detectable in three serum samples of PT patients. The incidence of HPA-15 alloimmunization in PT patients was significantly higher than in mothers with FNAIT (3.0% vs. 0.22%). In relation to all detected HPA-specific antibodies, HPA-15 is responsible for 6.2 percent of alloimmunizations. CONCLUSION: These observations indicate that alloimmunization against HPA-15 should be considered as a cause for immune thrombocytopenia, particularly in patients receiving multiple PLT transfusions.     

The natural history of maternal immunization against foetal platelet alloantigens

Foetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FMAIT) occurs when maternal antibodies of an antigen-negative mother cause destruction of sensitized foetal platelets. In Caucasian populations, 6-12% of human platelet antigen (HPA)-1a-negative women develop anti-HPA-1a, and the incidence of clinically affected cases is estimated to be 10-20% of immunized women. This study was performed in order to elucidate the rate of maternal immunization, incidence of FMAIT and the likely outcome of the condition in Asians. Excluding two or more pregnancies during the period, serum samples from 24 630 pregnant women, mainly Japanese, were screened for antibodies against platelet alloantigens by means of mixed passive haemagglutination (MPHA) (Anti-HPA-MPHA, Olympus, Tokyo). Antibodies were detected in 0.91% (223/24 630) of the women's samples and the immunization rate was correlated with the number of pregnancies. Antibody specificity included anti-HPA-4b (49), anti-HPA-5a (three), anti-HPA-5b (168), anti-HPA-4b + 5b (one) and anti-Nak(a) (CD36) (two). No alloimmunization was observed within the HPA-1, HPA-2, HPA-3 or HPA-6 systems. Among HPA-4b- or HPA-5b-negative women, 24% or 14% estimated, respectively, had antibodies and 26% (10/38) or 10% (12/125) of neonates, respectively, born to these mothers developed thrombocytopenia. Two neonates born to mothers having anti-HPA-4b developed generalized purpura. No cases of intracranial bleeding or death due to FMAIT were recorded. Generalized purpura due to FMAIT occurs in one in 9359 (95% CI: 1 in 77 519-1 in 2591) pregnancies solely because of HPA-4b incompatibility.     

On investigation of markers that may influence alloantibody responses to HPA-1a

In > 99% of cases, HPA-1a antibody production during pregnancy is associated with maternal DRB3*0101 positivity. However, only 35% of HPA-1a neg/DRB3*0101 women produce antibodies (Ab). This study attempted to identify additional genetic marker(s) that may better predict anti-HPA-1a production in these women.
Seventy-eight DRB3*0101 pos HPA-1a neg, women (40 HPA-1a Ab pos, 38 Ab neg) with HPA-1a pos infants, were typed for HLA-DRB1*, -B3*, -B4*, -B5*. Results were compared with those from 83 DRB3*0101 pos normal donors. SNaPshot™ was used to test for a polymorphism of the TNF-α locus.
The frequency of DRB1*15 was significantly lower in Ab pos mothers (1/40) compared to controls (16/83; P  = 0·03), but not compared to Ab neg mothers (6/38; P  = 0·07). DRB1*12 was found only in Ab neg mothers (5/38) (controls 0/83; P  = 0·02). A study of TNF-α genotype ( n  = 30, Ab pos; Ab neg; controls) found no difference between the mothers' groups, or mothers and controls.
Presence of DRB1*15 or DRB1*12 may lower the likelihood of HPA-1a Ab production. Raised frequency of DRB4* was seen in mothers with affected neonates (13/22) (unaffected, Ab pos 3/11; P  = 0·02). DRB4* may increase the odds of HPA-1a alloimmunization. Three NAITP cases due to anti-HPA-1a have been reported (2 local, 1 published), involving mothers DRB3*0101 neg, but DRB4* pos. TNF-α genotype may not predict anti-HPA-1a production in these women. Studies with larger groups would establish the value of these markers in defining women at high risk of HPA-1a alloimmunization.     

Heterogeneity of HPA-3 alloantibodies: consequences for the diagnosis of alloimmune thrombocytopenic syndromes

BACKGROUND: Immunization against the human platelet alloantigen (HPA)-3a residing on alphaIIbbeta3 integrin accounts for approximately 2 percent of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT). Anti-HPA-3a alloantibodies are sometimes difficult to detect and can be overlooked by standard antigen capture assays. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The reactivity of 12 anti-HPA-3a and 2 anti-HPA-3b alloantibodies from patients with FNAIT and posttransfusion purpura was analyzed by serologic (monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens [MAIPA] assay, flow cytometry) and immunochemical (immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting) techniques. The influence of platelet (PLT) age, storage conditions, recombinant antigens from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and sialic acids (treatment with neuraminidase) were analyzed. RESULTS: The most sensitive anti-HPA-3 alloantibody detection in MAIPA assay could be achieved with fresh homozygous PLTs. During a PLT storage period of 14 days before use, three types of anti-HPA-3 alloantibodies were found: 1) complete loss of reactivity (n = 6), 2) considerably weakened reaction (> or =50% reduction; n = 3), and 3) minor reduction of reactivity (< or =40% decrease; n = 5). When cryopreserved PLTs were used, 10 of 12 anti-HPA-3a and all anti-HPA-3b alloantibodies reacted positive. Only 6 of 10 serum samples reacted with recombinant HPA-3a on CHO cells. Neuraminidase treatment of PLTs showed that some anti-HPA-3a alloantibodies require the presence of sialic acids. The storage lesion seems to be related to cleavage of sialic acids. Immunochemical analysis revealed evidence that most anti-HPA-3a alloantibodies require an intact three-dimensional alphaIIbbeta3 integrin structure. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-HPA-3 alloantibodies show considerable heterogeneity, which may hamper the serologic diagnosis of FNAIT. Preservation of the alphaIIbbeta3 integrin and protection from enzymatic degradation seem to be important during PLT storage.     

Maternal immunization to Gov system alloantigens on human platelets

BACKGROUND: Immunization to platelet alloantigens can occur during pregnancy or after the transfusion of blood components. Platelet alloantibodies can cause neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and posttransfusion purpura. Transfusion-induced alloimmunization to a novel platelet alloantigen system, Gov, expressed on the 175-kDa glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored platelet glycoprotein, CD109, was previously described. This report describes three unrelated patients who were alloimmunized to Gov(a) or Gov(b) during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Platelets were typed by using radioimmunoprecipitation for HPA-1a, -3a, -5a, -5b, Gov(a), and Gov(b) and by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for HPA-1a, -1b, -3a, and -3b. Maternal sera were screened for platelet antibodies by using radioimmunoprecipitation and the antigen capture assay. RESULTS: Patients 1 and 2 were investigated after the diagnosis of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia in their children, and alloantibodies specific for Gov(b) and Gov(a), respectively, were detected in maternal serum. Serum from patient 3, who had mild idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura with no detectable autoantibody, was found to contain alloantibodies to Gov(b) and to HPA- 5b, presumably as a result of immunization during pregnancy. Platelet typings confirmed that the patients were at risk for alloimmunization to the respective antigen. CONCLUSION: This report of three cases of maternal alloimmunization to antigens in the Gov system indicates that immunization can occur via placental transfer of antigen and that Gov system alloantibodies may be associated with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.     

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (GTI PakPlus) for the detection of antibodies against human platelet antigens

Twenty-six serum samples from 24 patients were investigated for the presence of platelet-specific antibodies in a partly retrospective (n = 15) and partly prospective (n = 9) study. The sera contained either alloantibodies to human platelet antigens (HPA) (n = 23) or were from clinically suspected cases of fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FMAITP) in which platelet-specific antibodies had not been detected (n = 3). Three techniques were used to detect platelet antibodies: the platelet immunofluorescence test, the monoclonal antibody immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) assay and a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay--GTI PakPlus (GTI kit). Two alkaline phosphatase-conjugated antiglobulin reagents provided by the manufacturer were used in the GTI kit: an antihuman IgG/IgA/IgM (IgGAM) conjugate and an antihuman IgG conjugate. The GTI kit with the anti-IgGAM conjugate failed to detect eight antibody specificities in seven sera (anti-HPA-1a [n = 3], anti-HPA-3a [n = 1], anti-HPA-3b [n = 1] and anti-HPA-5b [n = 3]). Greater signal-to-background ratios were achieved in the GTI kit with the anti-IgG conjugate but five antibody specificities (anti-HPA-1a [n = 1], anti-HPA-3a [n = 1], anti-HPA-3b [n = 1], anti-HPA-5b [n = 2]) remained undetectable. All the sera were detected by MAIPA assay and, furthermore, the MAIPA assay achieved the greatest signal-to-background ratio in the majority of sera tested. These findings re-emphasize the value of the MAIPA assay in reference laboratories and illustrate that the GTI kit may either fail to detect or incorrectly identify clinically significant HPA antibodies.     

深圳地区汉族人类血小板抗原1-6系统基因多态性分析

目的 研究人类血小板抗原基因多态性,为人类学研究及临床输血实践提供依据。方法 采用PCR-SSP方法对深圳地区222名汉族随机献血者HPA1-6系统进行基因分型研究,对其基因及基因型频率进行统计,并与HPA在不同人群中的分布进行对比分析。结果 在6个HPA系统中,HPA-3基因型的杂合程度最高,HPA-3a/3a、HPA-3a/3b、HPA-3b/3b的频率分别为0.265 8,0.518 0,0.216 2;其余5个HPA系统均以a/a纯合子为主,a基因的频率范围为0.997 7～0.955 0,且均未发现b/b纯合子。1b、4b的基因频率很低,分别为0.009 O和0.002 3。结论 深圳汉族人群HPA1-6系统的基因频率与中国台湾人及中国香港人均很相似(P>0.05)。HPA-1、HPA-5与美国黑人、白人及荷兰人差异显著(P<0.05);HPA-2、HPA-3与日本人、韩国人、美国黑人、白人差异显著(P<0.05);HPA-4与日本人差异显著(P<0.05)。在未来的临床实践中要警惕HPA-2,3,5,6系统同种抗体导致的同种免疫血小板减少综合征的可能。     

Management and outcome of 200 cases of fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia

BACKGROUND: Fetomaternal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FMAIT) is the commonest cause of severe thrombocytopenia in term neonates but its management remains controversial. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A 7-year prospective observational study of 200 cases of FMAIT evaluated the relationship between human platelet antigen (HPA) antibody specificity, clinical presentation, morbidity, mortality, and therapeutic interventions in the antenatal and postnatal period, with long-term follow-up of neonates with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). RESULTS: In 1148 referrals for FMAIT, HPA antibodies were confirmed in 200 (17%). The commonest specificities were anti-HPA-1a, 150 (75%); anti-HPA-5b, 31 (15.5%); and anti-HPA-15b, 8 (4%). Of 123 (62%) cases (two sets of twins) with no previous history of FMAIT, intrauterine deaths occurred in 5: anti-HPA-1a alone, 3; in combination with anti-HPA-5b, 1; and anti-HPA-15b, 1. Of the 120 live neonates, 103 had severe thrombocytopenia and 17 (14%) developed ICH (anti-HPA-1a, 13; anti-HPA-5b, 3; anti-HPA-15b, 1). Postnatal care varied widely with 37 percent of neonates receiving random rather than HPA-1a and -5b-negative platelets. Of the remaining 77 cases with a history of FMAIT, 40 received intrauterine transfusions. Six (15%) of these fetuses died in utero and an additional 2 developed ICH postnatally. Of the 19 children with ICH, 1 (anti-HPA-15b) died on Day +1, and neurologic sequelae persist in 13 (mean follow-up, 2.5 years). CONCLUSION: HPA-1a antibodies are most commonly implicated in severe thrombocytopenia but HPA-5b and HPA-15b antibodies can also result in poor outcome. Postnatal transfusion management is extremely variable, and fetal transfusions are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.     

Gene frequencies of eight human platelet-specific antigens in Koreans

Human platelet-specific antigens (HPAs) are found on platelet membrane glycoproteins and are the target of platelet alloantibodies that mediate platelet destruction in neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT), post-transfusion purpura (PTP) and refractoriness to platelet transfusion therapy. The biallelic polymorphism of all HPA systems is known to be due to a substitution of a single base pair. This study was performed to investigate the frequency of the HPA genes in Koreans, based on these substitutions. The genotypes of eight HPA systems were determined by polymerase chain reaction using sequence-specific primers (PCR–SSP) for HPA-1, -2, -4, -5, and -8 and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for HPA-3, -6, and -7. The gene frequencies obtained from 200 unrelated Koreans were 0.99 and 0.01 for HPA-1a and -1b, 0.92 and 0.08 for HPA-2a and -2b, 0.55 and 0.45 for HPA-3a and -3b, 0.99 and 0.01 for HPA-4a and -4b, 0.98 and 0.02 for HPA-5a and -5b, and 0.98 and 0.02 for HPA-6a and -6b. All the individuals tested were homozygotes for HPA-7a and HPA-8a. It has been reported that the HPA-1b antigen is extremely rare (less than 0.3%) in Oriental populations, but this study suggests that the frequency of this antigen in Koreans (2.0%) is higher than in Japanese and Chinese populations.     

2458名中国汉族人类HPA-1～6、15基因多态性的研究

目的分析中国汉族人群HPA-1～6、15系统的基因多态性,研究中国南、北方汉族人群HPA-1～6、15的基因分布。方法采用Luminex结合序列特异性寡核苷酸探针(flow-sequence specific oligonucleotide probes,FLOW-SSO)方法对2 458名深圳巿机采血小板无偿捐献者(其中南方人群1 554人,北方人群904人)进行HPA-1～6,15系统基因分型。采用聚合酶链反应-序列特异性引物(PCR-sequence specific primer,PCR-SSP)方法对有疑问的标本及罕见抗原(如HPA-1b/1b、2b/2b、5b/5b等)做进一步确认。结果中国汉族人群中HPA-1～6、15基因频率分别为,HPA-1a 0.991 7,HPA-1b 0.008 3,HPA-2a 0.955 2,HPA-2b 0.044 8,HPA-3a 0.558 6,HPA-3b 0.441 4,HPA-4a0.998 0,HPA-4b 0.002 0,HPA-5a 0.986 2,HPA-5b 0.013 8,HPA-6a 0.985 6,HPA-6b 0.014 4,HPA-15a 0.545 2,HPA-15b 0.454 8。南、北方汉族人群HPA-1～6、15比较,在HPA-1和HPA-3系统(χ2=15.032 0、5.418 8,P0.05);基因频率分布差异有统计学意义。经χ2检验,符合Hardy-Weinbery遗传定律。结论中国汉族人群中HPA-3和HPA-15杂合程度最高,在中国南北方汉族人群中HPA-1和HPA-3系统基因多态性分布存在明显的地域差异。为了给免疫性血小板减少症患者提供相合血小板输注,在中国建立血小板供者资料库是必要的。     

Gene frequencies of human platelet antigens on glycoprotein IIIa in Japanese

BACKGROUND: Polymorphism of glycoprotein IIIa on human platelets is one of the factors in alloimmunization that causes neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and refractoriness to platelet transfusion. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: DNA typing methods were originally developed to determine the genotypes of five human platelet antigen (HPA) systems located on glycoprotein IIIa: HPA-1, HPA-4, HPA-6W, HPA-7W and HPA-8W. The gene frequencies of these platelet antigens were determined by DNA typing of 331 unrelated Japanese donors. RESULTS: The gene frequencies of the low-frequency antigens were 0.002, 0.011, and 0.027 for HPA-1b, HPA-4b, and HPA-6W(b), respectively. All 331 Japanese donors tested were HPA-7W(a/a) and HPA-8W(a/a). Moreover, in the present study, none of the donors tested had two or more of these low-frequency antigens. CONCLUSION: The risk of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and refractoriness to platelet transfusion induced by the antigens of the HPA-1, HPA-7W, and HPA-8W systems was extremely rare in Japanese. However, attention must be paid to the involvement of the HPA-4 and HPA- 6W systems in these clinical disorders.     

HPA配型在免疫性血小板输注无效中的应用研究

目的探讨以HPA配型解决免疫性血小板输注无效的方案。方法 1)建立PCR-SSP方法检测HPA-1～5基因型检测方法,建立机采血小板供者库;2)采用微柱凝胶法和Capture-P法对32名血小板输血无效患者作血小板同种抗体筛查,并对2种方法比较;3)对血小板同种抗体筛查阳性患者采用已知HPA基因型的标准谱血小板作抗体鉴定并采取HPA基因型同型输注的原则寻找供者。结果 1)采用PCR-SSP方法成功检测出HPA-1～5基因型,并对1 000名血小板供者的HPA-1～5基因型定型;2)32例血小板输注无效病例中,微柱凝胶法检测血小板同种抗体阳性率为50%,Capture-P法血小板抗体阳性检出率为40%;3)32例血小板输血无效病例中2种方法同时血小板抗体阳性13例,其中2例鉴定为抗-HPA,分别为抗-HPA-5b(P=1/84)、抗-HPA-1a(P=1/55)。结论对抗-HPA引起的血小板输注无效患者采用HPA基因型相合的方法寻找供者是有效的。     

Platelet alloantibodies in transfused patients

BACKGROUND: Patients receiving cellular blood components may form HLA antibodies and platelet-specific alloantibodies. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples from a cohort of 252 patients with hematologic or oncologic diseases who are receiving cellular blood components were studied for platelet-reactive antibodies. Specificity of platelet alloantibodies was determined with a panel of typed platelets RESULTS: Platelet-reactive antibodies were detected in the sera of 113 patients (44.8% of 252), HLA antibodies in the sera of 108 (42.9%), and platelet-specific antibodies in the sera of 20 (8%). The following platelet-specific antibodies were identified: anti-HPA-5b (n = 10), anti-HPA-1b (n = 4), anti-HPA-5a (n = 2), anti-HPA-1a (n = 1), anti-HPA-2b (n = 1), anti-HPA-1b+5b (n = 1), and anti-HPA-1b+2b (n = 1). Fifteen sera from the 108 patients with anti-HLA (13.9%) contained additional platelet-specific alloantibodies, while in 5 sera, platelet-specific alloantibodies only were detected: anti-HPA-5b (n = 4) and anti-HPA-1a (n = 1). Of the 108 sera with HLA antibodies, 29 (26.9%) showed discordant results when studied with the lymphocytotoxicity test and the glycoprotein-specific immunoassay. Ten sera contained panreactive antibodies against platelet glycoproteins (GP) IIb/IIIa, GPIa/IIa, and/or GPIb/IX. Alloimmunization occurred in 58.3 percent of female patients with previous pregnancies, but in only 23.3 percent of those without previous pregnancies (p = 0.0049). CONCLUSION: Platelet alloantibody specificities in transfused patients (predominantly anti-HPA-5b and -1b with antigen frequencies <30% among whites) differ significantly from those observed in patients with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia or posttransfusion purpura, in whom anti-HPA-1a (antigen frequency >95%) is the most prevalent specificity. HLA antibody detection yields discordant results when the lymphocytotoxicity assay and a glycoprotein-specific immunoglobulin-binding assay are used.     

Establishment of an HPA-1- to -16-typed platelet donor registry in China

In order to determine gene frequencies of human platelet antigen (HPA) and establish a panel of accredited HPA-1a, -2a, -4a, -5a and -6a-negative donors as well as an HPA-typed platelet donor registry, a total of 1000 Chinese donors of Han nationality (500 from north China and 500 from south China) were typed for HPA-1 through -16 using a DNA-based polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers genotyping method. The gene frequencies of HPA-1b, -2b, -3b, -4b, -5b, -6bw, -10bw and -15b were 0.0060, 0.0485, 0.4055, 0.0045, 0.0140, 0.0135, 0.0005 and 0.4680, respectively. The HPA-7bw, -8bw, -9bw, -11bw, -12bw, -13bw, -14bw and -16bw alleles were not found. The HPA-2b and -5b homozygous donors were detected at low frequencies. The HPA mismatch probabilities potentially leading to alloimmunization in random platelet transfusion vary with a region from 0.1% to 37% depending on the distribution patterns of common and less common alleles in each system. This study provides a useful HPA-typed plateletpheresis donor registry in China and could improve platelet antibody detection and HPA-matched platelet transfusion in alloimmune thrombocytopenic patients.     

Gene frequencies of human platelet antigens 1-5 in indigenous Australians in Western Australia

The frequencies of human platelet antigen (HPA) systems vary between different racial groups; however, HPA frequency data for some racial groups are still incomplete. We report the distribution of HPA 1-5 systems in Australian Aborigines from a remote community in the north-west of Australia and compare our findings with HPA observed in a Western Australian blood donor population. Using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with sequence-specific primers, 185 indigenous Australians and 1000 Western Australian blood donors were genotyped for each of the HPA 1-5 systems. Comparison of gene frequencies of alleles from HPA-1, -2, -3 and -5 systems showed significant differences between Aboriginal people and Western Australian blood donors (P < 0.001). In particular, the frequency of HPA-3b (0.068) in the Australian Aboriginals, from this study, was one of the lowest reported, whilst the frequency of HPA-5b (0.246) was one of the highest for this allele. Gene frequencies were similar to those reported for central Australian Aborigines but with no other ethnic group. In conclusion, this study confirms significant differences in HPA distributions between indigenous Australians, Australian blood donors and other racial groups. These results indicate a higher potential risk of alloimmunization to HPA-1, -2 and -3 in Australian Aborigines receiving transfusion therapy from a Caucasian blood donor population, thereby having practical implications for transfusion and pregnancy risks in people of Aboriginal origin.     

青岛地区汉族人群HPA-1—5,15多态性分布研究

目的研究青岛地区汉族人群人类血小板抗原(HPA)1-5,15抗原分布多态性。方法采用PCR-SSP方法对青岛地区918名无血缘关系固定血小板无偿捐献者进行HPA1-5及HPA-15系统的基因分型.结果各被检系统等位基因频率分别是1a=0.9940,1b=0.0060,2a=0.9319,2b=0.0681,3a=0.5822,3b=0.4178,4a=0.9897,4b=0.0104,5a=0.9804,5b=0.0196,15a=0.4913,15b=0.5087;HPA基因频率分布与国内资料比较,HPA-1与北方人群(河南),HPA-2与南方人群(四川)差异有统计学意义;与台湾人群HPA-2,-4,与日本人群HPA-2,-3,-5,与美国黑人HPA-1,-2,-5,与白人HPA-1,-4,-5,-15分别有统计学显著性差异。结论青岛地区汉族人群HPA分布具有本地人群特点。本组HPA数据分布符合Hardy-Weinberg平衡定律,可以作为北方汉族人群HPA基因分布频率数据库和青岛本地化血小板供者HPA资料库。