What is a hemolytic reaction?

A hemolytic reaction occurs when the immune system recognizes transfused blood as foreign and mounts a response against it, leading to the destruction of the transfused red blood cells. This can happen typically when there is an incompatibility between the donor’s blood type and the recipient's blood type, often due to the presence of antibodies in the recipient's plasma that target antigens on the surface of the donor cells.

The result of a hemolytic reaction can be severe and includes symptoms such as fever, chills, back pain, and hemoglobinuria, and it can lead to serious complications, including kidney failure. Understanding this reaction is critical in the context of blood transfusions to ensure that matches are correctly identified and to prevent such dangerous outcomes.