Introduction: Some subjects, due to immunization episodes can develop anti-A and anti-
B allo-antibodies named hemolysins. These hemolysins can cause serious hemolytic
accidents and newborn hemolytic disease.
Objectives: Our study aims to assess the prevalence and titer of anti-A and anti-B
hemolysins in O blood group donors and to estimate the risk of post-transfusion hemolytic
reactions.
Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study between June 27 and August 4, 2017
that included O blood group donors from the Ouagadougou Regional blood transfusion
center. The hemolysins screening was carried out according to a standardized tube
technique with saline solution.
Results: The prevalence of anti-A and anti-B hemolysins was 37.6%. Hemolysins anti-A
was present in 9.7% of cases, hemolysins anti-B in 13.8% and anti-A + anti-B in 14%.
Female gender (p = 0.04) and young donors (p = 0.03) were more likely to have high
prevalence of hemolysins in univariate analysis. But in multivariate analysis, only female
gender (OR=1.8, CI 95% [1.1-2.9]; p=0.02) was significantly associated to the presence
of hemolysins. The prevalence of hemolysins of high titer (1:64) was 0.27%. The risk of
post-transfusion hemolytic reactions was 2.2 x 10-6.