CD36 immunization in a patient undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Abstract

Anti-CD36 antibodies are known to cause a platelet refractory state. We describe a previously unreported case of a 16-year-old female sickle cell disease patient with anti-CD36 antibodies, detected on routine screen prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). CD36 platelet antigen typing was negative for both the patient and her HLA-identical donor sibling. Patient plasma was compatible with 48 of 49 apheresis platelets, which were untested and presumably positive for the CD36 antigen. The patient responded adequately to transfusion of crossmatch compatible platelets and successfully underwent HSCT. The presence of anti-CD36 antibodies does not exclude potential candidates from HSCT. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.