Categories of Transfusion Reactions

How to Subscribe
MLS & MLT Comprehensive CE Package
Includes 176 CE courses, most popular
$109Add to cart
Pick Your Courses
Up to 8 CE hours
$55Add to cart
Individual course$25Add to cart
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Transfusion Reactions. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Transfusion Reactions (online CE course)
Categories of Transfusion Reactions

Adverse complications of transfusions can be classified into several categories:
  • Immune-mediated transfusion reactions are those that trigger a response from the patient's immune system. Many transfusion reactions are mediated by the recipient's immune system. These reactions occur as a result of antigen-antibody interactions. Antibodies involved include those with specificity towards antigens on red cells, white cells, or platelets. In general, the immune responses occur in three stages:
    • The immune system detects foreign material (antigen)
    • The immune system processes the antigen
    • The immune system mounts a response to remove the antigen from the body
  • Non-immune mediated hemolytic transfusion reactions are caused by the physical or chemical destruction of transfused RBCs, bacterial contamination, circulatory overload, or citrate toxicity.
  • Immediate reactions occur during or within 24 hours after the transfusion. There is usually a rapid onset of symptoms, and these reactions may be fatal.
  • Delayed reactions occur 24 hours or more (often weeks or months) after the transfusion of blood or blood components.