β-Thalassemia major (BTM) is considered the most common hemoglobinopathy in Egypt and is one
of the major health problems in our locality.
Materials & methods: We investigated the frequency of B-regulatory cells (CD19+CD38hiCD24hi); (Bregs) among
polytransfused alloimmunized and non-alloimmunized children with BTM. The study included 110
polytransfused pediatric patients with β-thalassemia major. Clinical and transfusion records of all studied patients
were reviewed. Indirect antiglobulin test was performed to detect the presence of alloantibodies. We
used flow cytometry for detection of CD19+CD38hiCD24hi regulatory B cells.
Results: Alloimmunization was detected in 35.5% of thalassemic patients (39/110). The analysis of our data
showed a significantly higher frequency of Bregs (CD19+CD38hiCD24hi) in the peripheral blood of both
alloimmunized and non-alloimmunized patients as compared to healthy controls.
Conclusions: Our data showed that the frequencies of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Bregs cells were significantly increased
in children with BTM. Our data suggested that Bregs cells could play a role in the clinical course of
BTM. The relationship of Bregs to immune disorders in BTMchildren remains to be determined. Further longitudinal
studywith a larger sample size is warranted to explore the mechanisms of Breg cells in the disease process
in BTM patients.