What does it mean if you have HLA antibodies?

This test checks your blood for antibodies against a cell marker called a human leukocyte antigen (HLA). The test is done if you need an organ transplant, to help find a donor organ that will work in your body. Different forms of the HLA antibody are involved in autoimmune diseases.

What are the risks of donating platelets?

Side effects of the donation of platelets generally fall into three categories: blood pressure changes, problems with vein access, and effects of the anticoagulant on the donor’s calcium level. Blood pressure changes can sometimes cause nausea, fatigue, and dizziness.

What disqualifies you from donating platelets?

You will not be eligible to donate blood or platelets if you: Have tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, lived with or had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone who has hepatitis B or symptomatic hepatitis C.

Are HLA antibodies good to have?

Antibodies are important because they protect our health and help us fight off infections. However, in rare cases, HLA antibodies in donated blood may be harmful to some transfusion recipients. Are HLA antibodies harmful? HLA antibodies are not harmful to the person who made them.

Is donating platelets good for you?

Platelet donation has health benefits for the donor. Each time you receive a free wellness check, which includes blood pressure, pulse, temperature and hemoglobin (Hb). There is an ongoing need for platelet donations as they are only viable for five (5) days.

What blood type is best for donating platelets?

All blood types, except for type O negative and type B negative, are encouraged to try platelet donation. Type O negative and type B negative can make the most impact for patients in need by continuing to give whole blood or a Power Red donation. If you are type AB you can make the most impact by donating plasma.

Can I donate blood if I have HLA antibodies?

Your HLA antibodies pose absolutely no risk to you. You will remain eligible to donate red blood cells. Unfortunately, you will no longer be eligible to donate plasma or plasma blood products, such as platelets collected by apheresis.

Do HLA antibodies go away?

Unfortunately once you have anti-HLA antibodies, they do not go away on their own. Antibodies can be difficult to remove from the body, although different treatments have been tried. Antibody levels can temporarily increase in the setting of infection, vaccination, or transplantation.

Do you have to be HLA antibody negative to donate platelets?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is instituting a new requirement that all female platelet apheresis and plasma donors must be tested as HLA antibody negative as of October 2016. This is being done as an additional safeguard and is hoped to further reduce the rate of TRALI incidents.

Can a refractory patient get HLA class I platelets?

HLA Class I typed platelets should normally be provided for refractory patients with the aim of minimising exposure to mismatched Class I antigens. In the absence of a zero mismatched donor, a compatible donor can be selected on the basis of a lack of antigens or alleles corresponding to the antibody specificities identified in the patient.

When did the HLA test start for platelet donors?

In April 2013, we began performing a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antibody test on each of our current platelet donors who has ever been pregnant. That’s a change from our previous testing of platelet donors with three or more pregnancies.

How are HLA antibodies harmful to other people?

HLA antibodies are not harmful to the person who made them. Your HLA antibodies pose absolutely no risk to you. However, if transfused to another person HLA antibodies can cause a rare but very serious complication in the transfusion recipients known as Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI).