Hemovigilance and Red Cell Phenotyping among Patients with Hereditary Blood Diseases in Basra, Southern Iraq

Abstract

Objective: To assess the incidence of direct antiglobulin test positivity and to profile severity and demographic parameters of acute transfusion reactions

Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Basra Centre for Hereditary Blood Diseases, Basra Southern Iraq, from 15th September 2025 to 15th February 2026.

Methodology: 1426 patients were registered. The blood bank electronic real-time database under the supervision of qualified blood bank laboratory technicians was used to obtain the data. The transfusion events monitored were 108 and analysed were ABO/Rh(D) typing, extended Rh phenotyping (D, C, c, E, e antigens), direct antiglobulin test and
hemovigilance data.

Results: There were 38.43% of peoples have blood group O+ and Rh(D)-positive rate was 92.78%. The most frequent extended Rh phenotype was the R1r (31.41%). The overall percentage of direct antiglobulin test positivity
was 40% and was the highest in β-thalassaemia major (55.6%). Grade B (moderate) transfusion reactions were the most common (67.6%), and 69.5% of the reactions were Grade A (mild) or B (moderate).

Conclusion: The transfusion-dependent population extended Rh phenotyping and systematic hemovigilance is necessary. The high DAT positivity and moderate to severe reaction rates highlight the need for antigen matched blood strategies and formal hemovigilance systems.