Alloimmunization against human platelet antigen 2 (HPA2) in a series of multi-transfused beta-thalassemia patients.

In our study we investigated the presence of anti-human platelet antigen (HPA) alloantibodies in a series of 10 beta-thalassemia major patients submitted for more than 10 years to periodic blood transfusions (every 2-3 weeks). We found that 2 out of the 10 patients developed anti-HPA2a + HPA1b and anti-HPA2b antibodies. Our results highlight that HPA alloimmunization in multitransfused patients is a real possibility.