Second Tunisian case of Anti –Tja mediated recurrent abortions

Abstract

The diagnosis and the treatment of rare phenotypes remain a problematic situation in many countries especially in Tunisia. Individuals with rare phenotype may develop clinically significant red cell antibodies directed against the high incidence Antigens they lack.
A 35 years old patient was referred to our laboratory to explain a high incidence (twelve) of recurrent miscarriage during the first and second terms of pregnancy. This patient was grouped as O Rhesus: 1, -2, -3, 4, 5 K:-1. In her plasma we identified a pan-reactive anti-PP1PK antibody (anti-Tja) recognized to be responsible of spontaneous recurrent abortions. The red cell phenotype was P1 and Tja negative.
More investigations concluded to the absence of auto and other allo-antibodies association. Therapeutic plasmapheresis from early stages was suggested for the future pregnancy to remove anti-public antibodies in order to maintain normal placenta functions.
The Anti-Tja antibody, naturally occurring in patients with rare p phenotype, has the ability to induce recurrent spontaneous miscarriages and to cause immediate hemolytic transfusion reactions. Despite the absence of compatible donors in her family, this patient is not in an impasse situation because two donors with the same phenotype were identified when investigating a first case in 2013.