Antibody-mediated (immune) transfusion-related acute lung injury

Antibody‐mediated transfusion‐related acute lung injury (immune TRALI) is now recognized as the most common cause of transfusion‐associated major morbidity and death in the Western world. Among the implicated leucocyte antibodies, these ones directed against the human leucocyte antigens (HLA) class II, human neutrophil alloantigens (HNA)‐3a and HLA‐A2 antigens are frequently associated with severe (artificial ventilation required) and fatal cases. There is accumulating evidence that preventive measures such as transfusion of plasma‐rich blood components from male donors or from donors tested negative for leucocyte antibodies are effective in the reduction of severe and fatal immune TRALI.