Red Cell Alloimmunization in Resource-Constrained Settings: A Critical Review of Immunobiological Drivers and Structural Determinants - 13/03/26
ABSTRACT |
Red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization continues to challenge the foundational promise of transfusion therapy: to provide safe and universally effective support. Although most transfused individuals remain tolerant, a vulnerable minority develop alloantibodies that complicate care and increase the risk of delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTRs). While high-income nations increasingly mitigate this risk through molecular genotyping, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face a distinct landscape defined by antigenic mismatch and resource scarcity. This critical review evaluates alloimmunization not merely as a technical failure, but as a phenomenon driven by the collision of immunobiological susceptibility and structural health determinants. A structured literature review informed by PRISMA reporting recommendations was conducted to synthesize immunobiological and health-systems evidence across diverse epidemiological settings.We synthesize evidence on immune responsiveness alongside the economic realities of LMICs, where competing health priorities often necessitate trade-offs in laboratory capacity. By critically examining compatibility strategies through the lenses of feasibility and cost-effectiveness, we propose a risk-adapted, tiered framework for antigen matching. This approach challenges one-size-fits-all paradigms, suggesting that transfusion safety can be optimized by aligning biological risk with available resources rather than relying solely on inaccessible technologies.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Alloimmunization, red blood cells, transfusion, LMICs, genotyping, phenotyping, resource allocation
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