A review on the prevalence of unexpected alloantibodies in Thai patients across Thailand

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Published: Oct 22, 2025
Keywords:
Alloantibody, alloimmunization, antibody identification, hemolytic transfusion reaction.

Main Article Content

Udom Lao-on
Department of Medical Technology, School of Allied Health Sciences, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0350-4146
Kunwadee Lao-on
Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Thaksin University, Phatthalung, Thailand.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4037-6745

Abstract

Background: Alloantibodies are immune responses produced by exposure to foreign red blood cell antigens. However, sensitized alloantibodies can lead to hemolytic transfusion reactions and complicate cross-matching procedures.


Objectives: This review article aims to demonstrate the prevalence of unexpected alloantibodies across Thailand’s four major geographical regions.


Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and ThaiJo databases using keywords related to unexpected alloantibodies in Thailand, yielding 17 articles categorized by geographical region. Studies were filtered using strict criteria (published 2013-2025, sample size > 100, reporting > 2 alloantibody types) for final data analysis.


Results: It is revealed that anti-Mia is the highest unexpected alloantibody, with a prevalence rate of 25.9-37.2% across all four regions, followed by anti-E (15.6-20.7%), anti-Lea (4.7-14.6%), and anti-Leb (4.6-8.0%), respectively. Interestingly, anti-P1 is remarkably increased in the Northern region (15.1%), whereas anti-Jka (4.7%) and anti-Jkb (2.5%) are specifically higher in the Northeastern region.


Conclusion: This review highlights the importance of practicing antibody screening protocols, choosing compatible antigen status, and establishing rare donor registries in Thailand to avoid unexpected alloimmunization, thereby ensuring optimal transfusion safety.

Article Details

How to Cite
Lao-on, U., & Lao-on, K. . (2025). A review on the prevalence of unexpected alloantibodies in Thai patients across Thailand. Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, 59(1), 129–136. retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/bulletinAMS/article/view/281228
Issue
Vol. 59 No. 1 (2026): January-April
Section
Research Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.

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