A 41-year-old multiparous woman was rushed to the emergency room after being shot in the chest. She received 8 units of packed red blood cells and 5 units of platelets. The hemoglobin and hematocrit determinations stabilized after 6 hours in surgery, but the platelet counts remained less than 50,000 per µL. She had received additional units of platelets at 48-hour intervals with little efficacy. Her serum was tested for platelet antibodies. She was placed on corticosteroids to control chest wound bleeding. Anti-PL^A1 was identified in the patient's serum. This case is representative of what type of transfusion reaction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Post-transfusion purpura is characterized by a sudden drop in platelet count following transfusion, often due to antibodies against platelet antigens such as anti-PL^A1.

A 41-Year-Old Multiparous Woman Was Rushed to the Emergency Room