7.16 Transfusion-related Immunosuppression | New Zealand Blood Service

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Transfusion medicine

Transfusion medicine handbook

The Transfusion Medicine Handbook is designed to assist hospital staff and other health professionals in modern Transfusion Medicine Practice.

7. Adverse Effects of Transfusion

7.16 Transfusion-related Immunosuppression

Allogeneic blood transfusion has been shown to cause suppression of the recipient’s immune system. However, the mechanism behind the effect and the consequences resulting from such transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM) remain unclear, with contradictory evidence provided by both individual studies and metanalyses performed to date.

Evidence from a number of studies suggests that allogeneic blood transfusion enhances the survival of renal allografts, increases the recurrence rate of resected malignancies, increases the incidence of postoperative bacterial infections and increases the postoperative mortality rate from causes other than postoperative infection.

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