Post-transfusion survival of biotin-labeled allogeneic RBCs in adult horses

• Published in: Veterinary clinical pathology 2012-03, Vol.41 (1), p.56-62
• Main Authors: Mudge, Margaret C., Walker, Naomi J., Borjesson, Dori L., Librach, Fred, Johns, Jennifer L., Owens, Sean D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biotinylation - methods; Biotinylation - veterinary; Blood; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching - veterinary; Cell Survival - physiology; compatibility; crossmatch; equine; Erythrocyte Transfusion - veterinary; Erythrocytes - physiology; Female; Half-Life; Horses - blood; Linear Models; Male; Species Specificity; Staining and Labeling; Time Factors; Transplantation, Homologous - veterinary
• ISSN: 0275-6382; 1939-165X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2011.00384.x

Background Post‐transfusion survival of allogeneic RBCs has been reported to be much shorter in horses than in other species. We hypothesized that post‐transfusion survival of biotinylated allogeneic equine RBCs would be greater than the survival previously reported from studies using radioactive RBC‐labeling techniques. Objective The study objective was to determine post‐transfusion survival of N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)‐biotin‐labeled allogeneic equine RBCs transfused into adult horses. Methods Horses were adults and included 5 donors and 5 recipients. All horses were blood‐typed, and donors were paired with recipients based upon blood type and crossmatch results. Donor blood was collected in a volume of 4 L into citrate phosphate dextrose adenine‐1 and stored for 24 hours, labeled with NHS‐biotin, and re‐infused into recipients. Post‐transfusion blood samples were collected at 15 minutes and at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days. Biotin‐labeled RBCs were detected by flow cytometry using streptavidin–phycoerythrin. Post‐transfusion survival at 24 hours, lifespan, and half‐life of biotinylated RBCs were determined. Results Mean ± SD survival of biotinylated RBCs at 24 hours post‐transfusion was 95 ± 24%; the mean lifespan of transfused allogeneic RBCs was 39 days based on calculation of a linear regression survival curve, and mean post‐transfusion RBC half‐life was 20 days. Conclusions Post‐transfusion survival of 24‐hour stored equine allogeneic RBCs was greater than previously reported but less than that observed for other companion animal species. Mechanisms for the relatively short post‐transfusion lifespan of allogeneic equine RBCs remain unknown and warrant further study.