Platelet and granulocyte alloimmunisation in multitransfused Tunisian patients

: We determined the frequency of post‐transfusion alloimmunisation against platelet and granulocyte antigens in 51 Tunisian polytransfused patients with haematological diseases. Serum samples were analysed by a standard and an antiglobulin‐augmented lymphocytotoxicity technique, a granulocyte agglutination test, a granulocyte immunofluorescence test, a platelet immunofluorescence test and the monoclonal antibody‐specific immobilisation of platelet antigens assay. No granulocyte‐specific antibodies were detected. HLA antibodies were found in 58.8% of patients. Platelet‐specific antibodies were detected in four patients and were directed against human platelet antigen (HPA)‐5b, HPA‐1b and HPA‐3a. The three patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia developed anti‐GPIIb/IIIa antibodies. This study provides immunogenetic information that could improve the management of transfusion therapy in Tunisia.