TRALI Investigation

Test description

TRALI is a syndrome characterized by the development of acute respiratory distress with hypoxemia during, or up to 6 hours, after completion of a blood transfusion. TRALI is a clinical diagnosis based on patient symptoms that has been associated with all types of blood products. Investigation includes HLA testing on both patient and donors implicated in the reaction.

TRALI Investigation (PDF)

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Specimen and requisition requirements

Specimen(s):

  • PRE-TRALI: One (1) 7mL separated serum tube, if available.
  • POST-TRALI: One (1) full 7 ml unopened EDTA (lavender) tubes mixed thoroughly by gentle agitation and one (1) 7mL separated serum tube inverted 5-10 times to activate clotting.

Label specimen with the required minimum information: patient’s last name, first name, PHN/ (PHIN) or hospital number or other unique identifier, date of collection and facility name.

Requisitions

Platelet Immunology Requisition (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

TRALI Patient Data Form (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Complete Requisition (must include):

  • Patient's last name, first name, date of birth and PHN/(PHIN) or hospital number or other unique identifier
  • Facility Name
  • Physician/Health Care Provider name
  • Name, facility, address, contact number of individual to whom the report will be sent
  • Phlebotomist name, classification, initial
  • Date/time  of collection
  • MUST COMPLETE “TRALI Investigation” section on the Platelet Immunology Laboratory Requisition

Note: To report a TRALI to Canadian Blood Services, please directly contact your local Canadian Blood Services Distribution Centre and submit a completed TRALI Patient Data Form. (Manitoba: Refer to the Manitoba Transfusion Reporting Algorithm).
Patient TRALI samples accompanied by a completed Platelet Immunology Laboratory Requisition may be submitted directly to the Winnipeg National Platelet Immunology Reference Laboratory (NPIRL) or your local / supporting Canadian Blood Services Laboratory.

Pre-shipping instructions

If unable to ship within 24 hours of collection, store refrigerated at 1-10° C. Refrigerated samples must arrive within 48 hours of collection.

Serum must be separated from clot and frozen prior to shipment, if arrival at lab is expected to exceed 48 hours. The serum aliquot tube must be labelled with the identical patient information as the original tube and the date the aliquot was prepared.

All EDTA samples must remain UNOPENED.

Shipping instructions

  • Pack samples in secure, protective wrapping to avoid breakage/leakage and send samples in a box containing ice pack (gel pack stored at 2-8oC may be used).
  • Notify the National Platelet Immunology Reference Laboratory (NPIRL) at 204-789-1152 or your local/supporting Canadian Blood Services prior to shipment. Fax waybill, if applicable, and a copy of the requisition to 204-789-1186.
  • Ship samples for receipt Monday to Thursday to your nearest Canadian Blood Services or the National Platelet Immunology Reference Laboratory (NPIRL).

Send to National Platelet Immunology Reference Laboratory 

Canadian Blood Services
Winnipeg Centre / National Platelet Immunology Reference Laboratory
777 William Ave. / Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R4
Tel: 204-789-1152
Fax: 204-789-1186

Or your local / supporting Canadian Blood Services laboratory

VANCOUVER, BC  DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
Canadian Blood Services
Vancouver Centre/Diagnostic Services Laboratory
4750 Oak Street/Vancouver, BC  V6H 2N9
Tel: 604-707-3434
Fax: 604-874-6582 

EDMONTON, AB DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
Canadian Blood Services
Edmonton Centre / Diagnostic Services Laboratory
8249 114 St NW / Edmonton, AB T6G 2R8
Tel: 780-431-8765
Fax: 780-431-8747

SASKATCHEWAN DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
SEND TO NATIONAL PLATELET IMMUNOLOGY REFERENCE LABORATORY 
Winnipeg Centre / National Platelet Immunology Reference Laboratory
777 William Ave. / Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R4
Tel: 204-789-1152
Fax: 204-789-1186

WINNIPEG, MB DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
Canadian Blood Services
Winnipeg Centre / Diagnostic  Services Laboratory
777 William Ave. / Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R4
Tel: 204-789-1085
Fax: 204-779-8593

BRAMPTON, ON NIRL and DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES
Canadian Blood Services
National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory /Brampton Centre /  Diagnostic  Services Laboratory 
100 Parkshore Drive. / Brampton, ON, L6T 5M1
Tel: 905-494-5295
Fax:905-494-8132