The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center test donations of plasma and platelets from women who have been pregnant and had a live birth.
Research has shown that between 10 to 20 percent of women who have been pregnant have Human Leukocyte Antibodies in their bodies, which can be harmful to recipients of donated platelets or plasma.
HLA are not harmful to the women who carry them. But studies have shown they can lead to a condition known as Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) in some recipients. TRALI is the largest cause of transfusion-related complications in the United States.
Anyone who tests positive for HLA will be informed by mail. And since the antibodies only are present in plasma and platelets donations, women who have been pregnant still are eligible to make either whole-blood or double-red-cell donations.
For more information, please call the STBTC donor advocate nurses at 210-731-5555, extension 2243.