A patient experiences a severe reaction after receiving FP24 plasma. What is the most likely cause of this reaction?

The most likely cause of a severe reaction after receiving FP24 plasma is the presence of anti-IgA antibodies. This antibody is frequently found in individuals who are IgA deficient and may have developed antibodies against IgA due to exposure through blood transfusions, particularly from donors who have normal IgA levels.

When these patients receive plasma containing IgA, the anti-IgA antibodies react with the IgA in the transfused product, leading to an anaphylactic reaction. This reaction can manifest as difficulty breathing, hypotension, and other severe symptoms. Since FP24 plasma often retains some amounts of IgA, it poses a risk to patients with anti-IgA antibodies.

In contrast, bacterial contamination can also lead to transfusion reactions but typically presents with symptoms such as fever, chills, and shock, occurring more rapidly. Intravascular hemolysis is primarily associated with ABO incompatibility and would typically involve the destruction of red blood cells rather than a systemic response like that seen with anti-IgA. Leukoagglutinins, which are antibodies against white blood cells, may cause reactions as well but tend to result in febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions rather than severe, acute reactions.

Understanding the role