Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual International Symposium on Blood Transfusion, Groningen 1992, organized by the Red Cross Blood Bank Groningen-Drenthe

Immunological Concepts in Transfusion Medicine provides a thorough discussion of the immune aspects of blood component transfusion, with in-depth information on the intricacies of immune responses to blood components and the immune processes that may be initiated in response to blood exposure. Written to increase knowledge and awareness of immune challenges such as alloimmunization and transfusion-related acute lung injury, this title bridges current basic scientific discoveries and the potential effects seen in blood recipients. - Complies the knowledge and expertise of Dr. Robert Maitta, an expert in immune responses and antibody function/structure studies. - Helps clinicians in the daily practice of caring for patients in need of transfusion support, as well as physicians in training when considering utilizing blood transfusions in a limited scope or in the setting of massive transfusion. - Includes an immunology primer as an introduction to in-depth chapters covering allergic immune reactions to blood components, transfusion-related immunomodulation, fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and neonatal neuthropenia, complications of haploidentical and mismatched HSC transplantation, chimeric antibody receptor therapies, and much more. - Consolidates today's available information on this timely topic into a single, convenient resource.

“Both authors have dealt in an authoritative way withthe still rapidly expanding specialty and the eleventh edition ofthe book will be of the greatest value to all who are interested inthe scientific and practical aspects of blood transfusion inclinical medicine.” From the Foreword by Professor P.L. Mollison Highly respected, long-established book that has become the"bible" in transfusion medicine Why Buy This Book? Provides a sound basis for understanding modern transfusionmedicine Definitive reference source for any clinician involved withpatients requiring transfusion and for all staff working intransfusion services, immunohaematology laboratories and bloodbanks Highly practical advice on management issues for theclinician Completely revised and updated to reflect the rapid pace ofchange in transfusion medicine Written by two of the world's leading experts in the field

Describes the immunological aspects of blood transfusion medicine, examining the immuno-chemistry of blood group antigens, the immune destruction of cells, correlations between blood groups and disease, and the effect transfusion-induced retroviral infection has on immune response.

The rapid growth of specific protein estimations in the clinical laboratory over the last 10 years has been due to advances both in methodology and in the understanding of the role of the various plasma proteins in health and disease. This expansion has been made possible by the development of both gel phase and fluid phase techniques for the estimation of proteins and the ready availability of antisera to individual plasma proteins. The specificity of the immunological reaction has allowed the more precise identification and estimation of individual plasma proteins than was possible with dye binding or other chemical techniques, but at the same time these methods have introduced other possible errors and pitfalls. Advances in understanding of the structure and function of various plasma proteins has pointed the way to new clinical applications of plasma protein estimation in the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The Symposium, of which these are the proceedings, was planned to bring together a number of experts in the field to discuss the available methods and their clinical application.

"Blood transfusion is a life-saving intervention that has an essential role in patient management within health care systems. All Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed World Health Assembly resolutions WHA28.72 (1) in 1975 and WHA58.13 (2) in 2005. These commit them to the provision of adequate supplies of safe blood and blood products that are accessible to all patients who require transfusion either to save their lives or promote their continuing or improving health." --Preface.