The document outlines various transfusion reactions, classified into immediate and delayed, both immunological and non-immunological. Key causes include misidentification, technical errors, and allergic responses, with symptoms ranging from fever and chills to life-threatening conditions like TRALI and anaphylaxis. Management strategies are provided for each type of reaction, emphasizing the importance of stopping transfusion and administering appropriate treatments.

1. By: Nityanand Upadhyay
Associate Professor
Department of MLT
Integral University, Lucknow

2.  DEFINITION
 CAUSES
 CLASSIFICATION
 SYMPTOMS
 MANAGEMENT
 LABORATORY INVESTIGATION

3. “Any unfavorable and harmful transfusion
related events occurring in the patient
during or after transfusion of blood or
components is called transfusion
reaction.”
=> About 10 percent of recipient usually
experience Transfusion Reaction.

5. • Misidentification of the patient.
• Improper sample identification.
• Wrong blood issued.
• Administration error.
• Technical error.
• Storage error.

6.  The transfusion reaction are classified into two
group as per the appearance of SIGN and
TIME DURATION.
A. IMMEDIATE (ACUTE) TRANSFUSION REACTION.
1. IMMUNOLOGICAL A.T.R.
2. NON IMMUNOLOGICAL A.T.R.

7. B. DELAYED (CHRONIC) TRANSFUSION RAECTION.
1. IMMUNOLOGICAL C.T.R.
2. NON IMMUNOLOGICAL C.T.R.

8. “ The Acute transfusion may be defined as any
undesired reaction appears during or after some
times of Blood transfusion.”
The Acute transfusion reaction are Two types-
1. Immunological Immediate
(Acute )Transfusion Reaction.
2. Non Immunological Immediate ATR.

9. 1. Immunological Immediate (Acute)
Transfusion Reaction.
“Transfusion reaction due to Involvement of
Antigen- Antibody Reaction between Donor and
Recipient Blood.”
These are-
i. Acute (Immediate ) Haemolytic Transfusion
Reaction /Intravascular HTR.

10. ii. Non- Haemolytic Fibrile Transfusion
Reaction (NHFTR).
iii. Allergic Transfusion Reaction.
iv. Anaphylatic Transfusion Reaction.
v. Non – Cardiogenic Pulmonary Reaction.

11. . In intravascular transfusion reaction the
haemolysis of red cells takes place within
the circulatory system.

12. . Haemolysis occur within few min after
starting transfusion ( <24 hrs ).
. As little as 10-15 ml of ABO incompatible
blood infusion can produce symptoms.

13. This type of reaction is mainly due to IgM ab’s
(ant-A, & anti-B), mediated by the rapid
activation of complement and is usually
associated with the transfusion of ABO in
compatible blood.

14.  • Fever
 • Chills
 • Hypotension
 • Chest and back pain
 • Nausea
 • Dyspnea
 • Vomiting
 • Haemoglobinuria
 • Acute renal failure
 • Pain at transfusion site
 • Shock & DIC

15.  Stop transfusion immediately.
 Intravenous line kept open
 Administer 0.9% saline to hydrate kidney.
 Mannitol is the agent used to prevent the
renal failure.
 Hypotension: intravenous fluid and
vasoactive drugs .e.g. dopamine

16. “ NHFTR is defined as by noting temperature of
1centigrade or more above baseline level during
transfusion of blood or its components.”
 These reactions are the most common and
account for over 90 % of TR.
 These are occur within minutes of starting the
transfusion

17.  These reactions are due to a reaction between
HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) class-I
antigen on transfused Lymphocytes,
Granulocytes or Platelets in Donor blood unit
and antibodies in previously alloimmunised
Recipients (multi transfused patients) .

18. 1. Due to the presence of anti leukocyte
antibody and antibodies to platelet in the
patients serum.
(It may be due to past transfusion or pregnancy.)
2. Ab react with donors(HLA) WBCs

19. 3. Ag – Ab complex activate complement
system
4. Release of pyrogens from WBCs result in
rise of temp.

20.  Fever
 Chills
 Malaise

21.  Give leukocyte poor red cells.
 Patient with history of NHFTR may be
premedicated before Transfusion
 Anti pyretic can be given before starting
transfusion, but they must be avoided as
much as possible as they mask IHTR.

22.  A type of immediate hyper sensitivity reaction.
 Allergic signs and symptoms appear within
few minutes of exposure.
They may be mild, moderate or life
threatening.

23. Causes: The donors plasma contain allergens
which react with reagin present in patients plasma.
The donors plasma contains reagin that combines
with allergens in the patient plasma.
Allergen- Regin Complex
Attached The Mast cell Surface
Release Histamine

24. Symptoms:
 Local erythema
 Urticaria
 Hives(raised red wheal)
 Hypotension
 Loss of consciousness
 Shock

25. 1. Stop Transfusion.
2. Antihistaminic drugs are given
orally or Intramuscularly.

26.  This reaction is most sever form of allergic
transfusion reactions.
 This is life threatening.
 These reaction developed quickly- within
minutes of starting the transfusion

27. Causes:
In rare patients who are IgA
deficient and have developed
anti-IgA ab’s.

28. Symptoms:
 Respiratory tract- cough,
bronchospasm, dyspnea.
 GIT- nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
 Circulatory system- hypotension,
syncope.
 Skin- generalized flushing,
Urticaria.

29. 1. Stop Transfusion.
2. Keep the line open with normal saline.
3. Treat Hypotension.
4. Inject epinephrine.
5. Inject antihistaminic
6. Hypoxia- give oxygen by mask

30.  Also Known as TRANSFUSION RELATED ACUTE
LUNGS INJURY(TRALI).
 They are manifested by apparent pulmonary
edema.
 TRALI is characterized by acute respiratory
distress , bilateral pulmonary edema,
hypoxemia, fever and hypotension.

31. Causes:
1. Passively transfused leukocyte antibodies in
blood or plasma of donor react with the
transfusion recipient’s leukocytes.
2.The reaction between leukocyte antigens and
antibodies may result in
LEUKOAGGLUTINATION with the white cell
aggregates becoming trapped in
microcirculation of lungs, Causing Pulmonary
Edema.

32. Symptoms: Symptoms occurs within 1 to 6
hours of transfusion.
Usually symptoms resolve within 24 to 48
hours.
 Acute onset of respiratory distress
 Dyspnea
 Cyanosis
 Fever
 Chill

33. 1. Immediate stop blood transfusion.
2. Appropriate respiratory support.
3. Intravenous administration of
Steroids.
4. Leukocyte poor component is used.

34. 2. Non Immunological Immediate/ATR.
“In this types of reaction there is no any
involvement of Antigen - Antibody.” Reaction by
other factors like, Bacteria.
These are-
i. Bacterial Contamination.
ii. Circulatory Overload
iii. Haemolysis due to Physical or Chemical
Agents

35. . Bacteria or other microorganisms may enter
Blood during phlebotomy and Blood
components stored at refrigerated temp.
. Blood stored at room temp. has more
chances of microbial contamination.
“Result of bacterial contamination of
blood can be life threatening.”

36.  Endotoxins producing gram negative bacteria
encountered in blood contamination are-
E. Coli
Citrobacter freundii
Yersinia enterocolitica

37. Symptoms: are as-
1. High grade fever.
2. Shock: is associate with flushing ,
dryness of skin, Abdominal pain,
Cramp, dirrhaea and muscular pain.
3. Haemoglobinuria.
4. Renal failure.
5. DIC.

38. 1. Stop transfusion.
2. Administration of Intravenous
antibiotics.
3. Treat Hypotension with fluid.
4. Treat DIC.

39. “Due to Hypervolemia by transfusing
blood very rapidly”
Susceptible patients may be very
young, old ones.

40. Symptoms: Including
. Heart Problem
. Chronic Anaemia
. Congestive Heart failure
. Coughing
. Cyanosis
. Sever headache
. Difficulty in breathing

41. 1. Stop transfusion or continue it very
slowly.
2. Intravenous administration of Diuretics.
3. Give Oxygen.
4. If pulmonary edema develops,
phlebotomy may be indicated.

42. Such as-
. Overheating.
. Freezing.
. Freezing without cryoprotective agents.

43. . Mechanical stress.
. Mixing of hypotonic solution (5%
dextrose in saline) or Hypertonic
solutions (50% dextrose in water) wiyh
RBC may cause hemolysis of RBC.

44. 1. Asymptomatic hemoglobinuria is the
common symptoms.(Because
transfusion of Hemolytic Blood).
2. DIC may develop.

45. Fluid Therapy.
Regular monitoring of patient.

46. “ The Chronic transfusion may be defined as any
undesired reaction appears after Blood
transfusion.”
The Chronic transfusion reaction are Two types-
1. Immunological Delayed (Chronic )
Transfusion Reaction.
2. Non Immunological Delayed
(Chronic)Transfusion Reaction.

47. 1. Immunological Delayed (Chronic)
Transfusion Reaction.
These are-
i. Chronic Haemolytic Transfusion Reaction (Delayed/
Extravascular HTR).
ii. Trnasfusion Associated Graft Versus Host Disease ( TA-
GVHD).
iii. Post Transfusion Purpura.

48. 2. Non Immunological (Delayed)
Chronic Transfusion Reaction.
. Transfusion Induced Haemosiderosis.
(Iron Overload)

49. Also known as Extravascular Hemolytic
Transfusion Reaction.
This reaction appear due to Rh
incompatibility .
Haemolysis occur after few hours or after
about 3-7 days of transfusion.

50. Causes:
1. Recipient serum amnestic
antibody response to alloantigens
on donor cells.
2. These ab’s bring about the
destruction of red cells by the
macrophages in the spleen or liver.

51. IgG of Recipient, coats the RBC,s of Donor
and Sensitized them
Sensitized RBC,s Interact with Phagocytic
Cells
Engulf and Destroy RBC,s

52.  IgG antibodies coated red cells interact with
receptors of phagocytic cell (macrophage).
 Phagocytic cell engulfs the antibody coated
cell and incorporates it into the intracellular
vacuole.
 Lysis of red cells with in the intra cellular
vacuole of phagocytic cell.

53. Symptoms:
 Fall in Hb
 Rise in bilirubin and mild jaundice
with in 5-7 days of transfusion
 Fever.
 Renal failure ( rare )

54. 1. Urine output and renal functions
should be followed.
2. If DAT positive identify antibody.

55. It results from transfusion of Immunologically
components cells (Cytotoxic CD8 T
lymphocytes) in an immunologically
incompetent host(who may be incapable of
rejecting the CD8 T lymphocytes).

56. Individual at high risks are:
1.Congenital Immunodeficient.
2. Aquired cell mediated Immunodeficient.
3. Autologous bone marrow transplant Recipient.
4. Fetus receiving intrauterine transfusion.
5. New born infants receiving exchange transfusion.

57. Symptoms: Symptoms of acute TAGVHD is
2 to 30 days after transfusion.
And in chronic TAGGVHD it occurs after 100
days.
 Fever
 Rash
 Diarrhea
 Hepatitis
 Liver dysfunction
 Bone marrow suppression
 Fatal

58. Most communally in women in their Sixty or
Seventy years of life.
Occur with platelet concentrate transfusion.
Due to alloimmunized to platelets antigens
through previous transfusion.

59. Symptoms: Symptoms may occurs after 7-14
days from transfusion.
1. Purpura
(Due to red discoloration of the skin caused by
hemorrhage.)
=> Hemorrhage resulting from
destruction of platelets by
antiplatelet antibodies in the
recipient.

60. 1. Administration of Corticosteroids.
2. Plasma exchange.
3. Intravenous Immunoglobulin.

61. Transfusion Induced Haemosiderosis
(Iron Overload).
1. It is deposition of Iron in tissues or organs.
2. It may results from long term administration of
blood(RBC,s or Whole) to Recipient.
3. Iron accumulation : affect functions of heart,
liver, endocrine system

62. 1. Beta thalassemia major.
2. Congenital Hemolytic anaemia.
3. Aplastic Anaemia.
=> Hemosiderosis because of blood
transfusion may occur after transfusion of
as few as 100 units of Blood.

63. Symptoms:
1.Muscle weakness.
2. Fatigue.
3. Weight loss.
4. Mild jaundice.
5. Anaemia.

64. 1. Deferoxamine mesylate is a iron
chelating drug.
2. Transfusion should be kept to
aminimum.
3. Transfusion of Young Red cells.

65.  Check all the records to ensure that the
correct unit of blood was transfused to the
right patient.
 This includes :
a) Patient’s details
b) Blood requisition form
c) Compatibility report
d) Labels

66.  Examine the patient pre-transfusion &
posttransfusion plasma from EDTA sample
for evidence of free Hb or increased
bilirubin.
 Pink or red discolouration in post-
transfusion
plasma indicates the presence of free Hb
due to red cell destruction.

67.  Yellow discoluration of the sample
drawn 6-8 hr after transfusion
indicates increased blirubin.
 Perform DCT on the pre- and post
transfusion sample.

68.  A positive DCT test usually indicates the
presence of recipient ab’s on the surface of
donor red cells, however if all the cells have
been already destroyed , the test may be
negative.
 Check urine (post-transfusion) 1st sample.
If Dark Yellow Colour :- Extravascular
Hemolysis.
If Cock or Pink Colour: Intravascular
Hemolysis.

69.  If nothing abnormal, indicates that no
acute hemolytic reaction.
 If any finding is positive, or clinical finding
strongly suggest a hemolytic reaction, the
following investigations to be done;-

70. 1) Repeat the crossmatch, testing both pre
and post transfusion sample of the patient
against the sample from the bag by
saline/albumin,coombs techniques.
2) Repeat antibody screening and
identification of patients pre and post
transfusion samples.

71. THANK
YOU………..
nityanandu@iul.ac.in