Bloody Minded Episode 44 - MAIPA Madness | FNAIT & Platelet Testing
Apr 29, 2025
Dive into the world of complex hematology with a lighthearted twist! Explore the quirky MAIPA test that combines four antibodies in one test, alongside amusing food analogies. Uncover the intricacies of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) and the clinical strategies for managing it. Get insights on the essential collaboration between hematology and neonatal teams, plus the challenges of treating immune thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy and optimizing transfusion protocols. It's educational and entertaining!
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Bashar's Turducken Analogy
- Bashar compares the complex MAIPA test to eating a turducken, a chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey.
- He shares his humorous struggle to understand the MAIPA, likening it to ruining Christmas with a failed introduction.
Platelet Antigens Overview
- Platelets have many glycoproteins with multiple epitopes called human platelet antigens (HPA).
- There are 35 described HPAs, each residing on specific platelet glycoproteins like GP2B3A and GP1B5.
FNAIT Is Platelet HDFN
- Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is like hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn but targeting platelet antigens.
- Maternal antibodies against fetal platelets cause thrombocytopenia ranging from mild bleeding to severe intracranial hemorrhage.