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Alloimmunization

Alloimmunization is a response by the body's immune system to donated blood or bone marrow or a transplanted organ. In alloimmunization, a person's body develops antibodies-proteins that attack and destroy foreign substances-that target the donated material.

A person receiving repeat blood transfusions may develop antibodies to the donor blood. Alloimmunization makes repeated transfusions more difficult.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Martin Steinberg, MD - Hematology
Last Revised October 7, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 07, 2010
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