[Immunological safety of blood transfusions. Present state of the problem (author's transl)].

Immunological safety of red blood cell transfusions implies both prevention of hemolytic reactions and prevention of red cell alloimmunization. A review of clinical, etiologic and immunohematological aspects of hemolytic hazards of blood transfusion is presented and the main conclusions regarding their prevention are emphasized. Appropriate measures to prevent red cell alloimmunization are outlined in the light of known variables which contribute to alloantibody formation. Prophylactic measures are suggested to be focused on the one hand on the most immunogenic red cell antigens, c, E, K. and on the other hand on the high risk individuals, young women and multitransfused patients.