Clinical Case: About a Probable Case of Post-Transfusion Purpura in a Homozygous Sickle Cell ()
1. Introduction
Post-transfusion purpura is one of the rare immunologic reactions found in patients receiving multiple transfusions [1] . The use of non-leukocyte-depleted blood products increases the frequency of post transfusion event and exposes alloimmunization platelet [2] . This alloimmunization would be responsible for a later transfusion event. In our country, people with sickle cell disease form a part of the population that needs repeated transfusion. In Madagascar, the prevalence of sickle-cell disease is 9.2% [3] . Transfusion is an essential element in their treatment during a crisis. Because the leukocyte-depleted is not available, the whole-blood transfusion is always carried out. However, this practice exposes to transfusion event. We report a case of post-transfusion purpura in a homozygous sickle cell. We detail the challenges in the identification of the antibody incriminated as well as the short- and long-term challenges of the transfusion management of the child.
2. Observation
An 8-year-old girl with homozygous sickle cell disease was hospitalized for a sickle cell crisis. She has received 07 transfusion episodes since she was 26 months. The blood products used were always whole blood iso group iso rhesus. The blood group is O positive. At her last sickle cell crisis she presented hyperthermia, a mucosal cutaneous pallor. The biological results showed anemia (Hb: 60 g/l), leukocyte rise, with a normal platelet rate, high C reactive (CRP = 24 mg). The search for plasmodium was negative. The child had antibiotic treatment and was transfused with a whole blood. The clinical condition of the child improved but 5 days after transfusion she presented two bumps in the scalp (5 × 2 cm) (Figure 1). These two bumps appeared suddenly without any notion of trauma. We examined the child and other signs of bleeding were not found except two bumps. These bumps were soft, painless. We have redone the hemogram which showed a deep thrombocytopenia at 30 Giga/l.
In view of this fact no immunoglobulin was available therefore corticosteroid was administered. The change was good because the bump has gradually decreased in volume and eventually disappeared. Since this event, due to lack of leukocyte-depleted blood supply, the child has not received any blood transfusions despite her anemia, but only preventive treatment such as antibiotics prophylaxis, folic acid, good hydratation. One week after leaving the hospital, follow-up did not find any abnormalities except his anemia.
3. Comments
This observation illustrates the post transfusion risk of multiple transfusions when using non-leukocyte-depleted blood products. The risk of immunological event is 3% [1] . In our case, it is likely a post-transfusion purpura. In front of this event, we are faced with several challenges. Among them, there is the diagnostic challenge because we did not have the laboratory technical to demonstrate the
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Figure 1. Two bumps 5 day after transfusion in a homozygous sickle cell.
anti-platelet antibodies in question. Thus, diagnosis is based on medical history, clinical, and non-specific biology. It was a child who has received multiple whole blood transfusions. While whole blood transfusion induces frequent anti-HLA immunization due to non-leukocyte depleted. The risk of an immunological event is 36% in subjects previously stimulated [2] . In patients already sensitized the memory T lymphocytes can be rapidly activated by antigen presenting cells of the recipient presenting antigenic peptides derived from the incompatible HLA molecules of the transfused product. This activation of memory T lymphocytes results in the production of anti-HLA IgG alloantibodies [4] . Regarding the clinic, spontaneous hemorrhagic syndrome occurs on the scalp without any notion of trauma. The hemorrhagic syndrome appeared 5 days after the blood transfusion in a repeated transfused patient [5] . There are also other hemorrhagic signs such as petechiae, purpura, mucosal hemorrhagic encountered in other patients who have made a post transfusion purpura [6] .
The non-specific biological argument is based on the number of platelets that are collapsed. Major thrombocytopenia was observed a few days after transfusion because the blood count before transfusion showed a normal platelet count. The immunological event due to HPA alloantibodies is responsible for major collapse of platelet count because it results in both destruction of recipient and donor platelets [2] .
In the face of the medical history, the clinic and especially the collapse of the platelet rate we retained the diagnosis of post transfusion purpura. Even if the antibody against-HLA alloimmunization is more frequent than the antibody against-HPA [7] , in our case the presence of platelet-specific antigens is not ruled out by this major thrombocytopenia, especially patients with anti-HLA alloimmunization more frequently develop anti-HPA antibodies [2] .
Concerning challenge in the treatment, HPA and HLA typing of the child could not be conducted. As a result, we were unable to select compatible HPA or HLA platelet concentrates from typical donors. We didn’t have any typing techniques, whether serological or molecular. Due to the unavailability of immunoglobulin treatment with corticosteroid was administered [8] .
Blood transfusion, especially red blood cell concentrates (RBCs), is an essential part of sickle cell therapy. It has improved the morbidity and mortality of these patients, but like any other developing countries, we don’t have leukocyte-depleted blood that will reduce adverse effects in this patient [9] . A new transfusion could therefore expose the child to severe complications if no blood from a typical donor is used [6] . All these difficulties put at stake the short-term and long-term prognosis of our patient.
4. Conclusion
This is the first reported case of post-transfusion purpura in a multitransfused patient. In this case, the likely diagnosis of a post-transfusion purpura has been retained in front of his medical history, hemorrhagic syndrome and major thrombocytopenia. Faced with the challenges of diagnosis and management, we are sometimes confronted with a situation of blocking transfusion. Due to lack of leukocyte-depleted blood products and phenotyping HLA HPA, the management of multi-transfused patients is a constraint for blood transfusion establishments.