The most common cause of non-hemolytic transfusion reactions is an immunologic reaction to a foreign antigen present in the donor blood. This is typically caused by pre-existing antibodies in the recipient's blood that recognize the foreign antigen and trigger an immune response. Other causes of non-hemolytic transfusion reactions include bacterial contamination of the blood, transfusion of non-compatible blood types, and transfusion of incompatible plasma.
Immunologic Reactions
Immunologic reactions are the most common cause of non-hemolytic transfusion reactions, occurring in up to 50% of cases. These reactions are caused by the presence of pre-existing antibodies in the recipient's blood that recognize a foreign antigen present in the donor blood and trigger an immune response. The most common antigens involved in these reactions are ABO and Rh antigens. ABO incompatibility occurs when a donor has a different ABO type than the recipient, and Rh incompatibility occurs when the donor has a different Rh type than the recipient.
Bacterial Contamination
Bacterial contamination of the donor blood is another cause of non-hemolytic transfusion reactions, though it is less common than immunologic reactions. Bacterial contamination can occur if the donor blood is not properly screened or if it is stored improperly. It can also occur if the donor blood is contaminated during the transfusion process. Bacterial contamination can cause fever, chills, and other flu-like symptoms.
Incompatible Blood Types
Incompatible blood types are another cause of non-hemolytic transfusion reactions. If the donor and recipient have different blood types, the donor's blood may contain antibodies that recognize the recipient's red blood cells, causing an immune response. This can cause fever, chills, and other symptoms.
Incompatible Plasma
Incompatible plasma can also cause non-hemolytic transfusion reactions. This occurs when the donor plasma contains antibodies that recognize the recipient's red blood cells, triggering an immune response. This can cause fever, chills, and other symptoms.