Abstract: Objective To investigate the changes of platelet-related antibodies in the serum from patients with immune platelet transfusion refractoriness (IPTR) and their effectiveness of a platelet transfusion. Methods Data of 30 patients with IPTR were collected, such as gender, age, blood group, height, weight, diseases, platelet count before and after platelet transfusion etc., and the serum HLA and HPA antibodies were detected at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. Platelet antibodies were detected by ELISA and the relative intensity of antibodies was calculated. The specific HLA antibodies were detected by microbead technology. Results During follow-up, antibodies became negative in 12 of 30 patients, and the average clearance time was (4.08±1.78) month. Seven patients showed a decreasing trend, and 10 patients showed a stable state. There was a positive correlation between the relative strength of HLA antibody and HLA specific antibody types. The decrease in the relative strength of HLA antibodies made it easier for patients to find an HLA-matched donor, but had no significant effect on the 24 h corrected count increment (CCI) and transfusion response rate after cross-matched platelet transfusions. Conclusion The HLA antibodies in the serum in most PTR patients were weakened or disappeared within 6 months, and persisted steadily in some patients. The reduction or disappearance of antibodies accompanied with the reduction of specific antibody types, made it easier for patients to find cross-matched donors, but had no significant effect on their transfusion efficacy.

Key words: Immune platelet transfusion refractoriness (IPTR), Changes of platelet-associated antibodies, HLA-specific antibodies, Platelet cross-match