Dartmouth Health Study Identifies New Transfusion Risk for Alpha-Gal Syndrome Patients

A new study led by Dartmouth Health researchers, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, indicates that tickborne alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) may complicate safe blood plasma or platelet transfusions. Specifically, type O patients receiving B or AB units face potential allergic reactions. Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center has already altered its practice, ceasing such transfusions for type O patients, potentially leading to wider changes in regions with high AGS prevalence.