Epidemiology
- Fever (without hemolysis) is most common reaction to transfused platelets (occur in 5-30% of transfusions)
- Fever is more common with platelet transfusion than PRBC transfusion
- Febrile reactions are more common with older platelets (possibly due to production of bioactive substance over time) and those with higher numbers of leukocytes
Physiology
- Fever due to reaction to bioactive substance (possibly an Interleukin) in transfused plasma in platelets (NEJM: 1994: 331: 625-628) and possibly some anti-leukocyte antibodies present in recipient (which act against residual leukocytes in platelets)
Clinical
- Most febrile reactions are mild
- Rigors
- Fever/Chills (see [[Fever]])
- Nausea
Treatment
- Remove all plasma prior to transfusion
References