Study Warns on Alpha-Gal Syndrome and Blood Transfusions
(MedPage Today) -- In areas with high prevalence of tick-induced alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), patients with blood type O appeared to be at significantly increased risk for allergic transfusion reactions to B or AB blood units, according to a retrospective...
A study has revealed a potentially concerning link between alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) and allergic reactions to blood transfusions, particularly among patients with type O blood. According to the research, individuals with type O blood who received blood products from B or AB donors in regions with high AGS prevalence were nearly four times more likely to experience an allergic reaction compared to those who received O blood products (overall risk ratio of 3.93, 95% confidence interval 2.96-5.21, P < 0.001).
However, type O patients in areas with low AGS prevalence did not exhibit a significantly heightened risk when receiving B or AB blood units (risk ratio of 1.06, 95% confidence interval 0.88-1.29, P = 0.53). The findings suggest that transfusion practices in areas with high AGS prevalence may need to be adjusted to minimize the risk of allergic transfusion reactions.
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