Delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction presenting as a painful crisis in a patient with sickle cell anemia

CONTEXT: Patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are frequently transfused with red blood cells (RBC). Recently, we reported that the calculated risk of RBC alloimmunization per transfused unit in Brazilian patients with SCA is 1.15%. We describe a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) presenting as a painful crisis in a patient with SCA. CASE REPORT: A 35-year-old Brazilian female with homozygous SCA was admitted for a program of partial exchange transfusion prior to cholecystectomy. Her blood group was O RhD positive and no atypical RBC alloantibody was detected using the indirect antiglobulin technique. Pre-transfusional hemoglobin (Hb) was 8.7 g/dL and isovolumic partial exchange transfusion was performed using 4 units of ABO compatible packed RBC. Five days after the last transfusion she developed generalized joint pain and fever of 39°C. Her Hb level dropped from 12.0 g/dL to 9.3 g/dL and the unconjugated bilirrubin level rose to 27 mmol/L. She was jaundiced and had hemoglobinuria. Hemoglobin electrophoresis showed 48.7% HbS, 46.6% HbA1, 2.7% HbA2, and 2.0% HbF. The patient s extended RBC phenotype was CDe, K-k+, Kp(a-b+), Fy(a-b-), M+N+s+, Le(a+b-), Di(a-). An RBC alloantibody with specificity to the Rh system (anti-c, titer 1:16.384) was identified by the indirect antiglobulin test. The Rh phenotype of the RBC used in the last packed RBC transfusion was CcDEe. The patient was discharged, asymptomatic, 7 days after admission.CONTEXTO: Pacientes com anemia falciforme recebem com freqüência concentrados de glóbulos vermelhos (CGV). Recentemente, nós relatamos que o risco de alo-imunização eritrocitária por unidade transfundida em pacientes brasileiros com anemia falciforme é 1,15%. RELATO DE CASO: Nós descrevemos uma reação transfusional hemolítica tardia (RTHT) apresentando-se como uma crise dolorosa em um paciente com anemia falciforme.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESPSciEL

Transfusion-related acute lung injury

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious clinical syndrome associated with the transfusion of plasma-containing blood components. Recently, TRALI has come to be recognized as the leading cause of transfusion-related death in the United States and United Kingdom. This complication typically presents as shortness of breath, hypoxemia, hypotension, fever and noncardiogeneic pulmonary edema, all occurring during or within 6 h after transfusion. Although the mechanism of TRALI has not been fully elucidated, it has been associated with human leukocyte antigen antibodies (class I, class II or neutrophil alloantigens) and with biologically active mediators in stored cellular blood components. Most of the donors implicated in cases of TRALI are multiparous women. Rarely diagnosed, TRALI can be confused with other causes of acute respiratory failure. Greater knowledge regarding TRALI on the part of clinicians could be crucial in preventing and treating this severe complication of blood transfusion.Lesão pulmonar aguda associada à transfusão (transfusion-related acute lung injury, TRALI) é uma complicação clínica grave relacionada à transfusão de hemocomponentes que contêm plasma. Recentemente, TRALI foi considerada a principal causa de morte associada à transfusão nos Estados Unidos e Reino Unido. É manifestada tipicamente por dispnéia, hipoxemia, hipotensão, febre e edema pulmonar não cardiogênico, que ocorre durante ou dentro de 6 h, após completada a transfusão. Embora o exato mecanismo não tenha sido totalmente elucidado, postula-se que TRALI esteja associada à infusão de anticorpos contra antígenos leucocitários (classes I ou II ou aloantígenos específicos de neutrófilos) e a mediadores biologicamente ativos presentes em componentes celulares estocados. A maioria dos doadores implicados em casos da TRALI são mulheres multíparas. TRALI, além de ser pouco diagnosticada, pode ainda ser confundida com outras situações de insuficiência respiratória aguda. Um melhor conhecimento sobre TRALI pode ser crucial na prevenção e tratamento desta severa complicação transfusional.Faculdade de Medicina de MaríliaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Medios locales y desarrollo municipal : un reto comunicacional

Los medios de comunicación locales pueden convertirse en un factor determinante del desarrollo municipal. Son actores que intervienen en la relación entre los gobiernos y los vecinos. Y de una correcta, equilibrada y transparente relación entre los tres actores se podrán obtener resultados en materia de construcción de ciudadanía y solución de los problemas puntuales de ciudades y pueblos, incluso más bien alejados de las grandes urbes. Para eso hay que conocerse y saber de las necesidades de cada uno. Y entender que se trata de la construcción de un proceso cuyo principal objetivo es la solución a las demandas de la gente. Y en ello los periodistas pueden ser fundamentales. La experiencia de una radio local permite acercar los problemas concretos de los vecinos a las autoridades y es una manera de lograr posibles respuestasFil: Roulier, Sergio. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales; Argentina