Immunohematology

The high-prevalence blood group antigen, Sda , had been puzzling blood bankers and transfusionists for at least a decade when it was reported in 1967. The characteristic mix of agglutinates and free red blood cells (RBCs), caused by anti-Sda , is seen with the RBCs from 90 percent of individuals of European descent. However, only 2-4 percent of individuals are truly Sd(a-) and may produce anti-Sda . The antibodies, generally considered insignificant, may cause hemolytic transfusion reactions with high-expressing Sd(a+) RBCs (e...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Anti-M is usually a naturally occurring antibody directed against M in the MNS blood group system. It does not require exposure to the antigen from previous transfusion or pregnancy. Anti-M is usually of the immunoglobulin M (IgM) isotype, binds best at about 4°C, binds well at room temperature, and rarely binds at 37°C. As a result of its lack of binding at 37°C, anti-M is usually clinically insignificant. There have been rare cases reported of an anti-M that reacts at 37°C. Such an exceptional anti-M may cause hemolytic transfusion reactions...

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to anti-D was severe and fatal before the development of RhD immune prophylaxis. Proper screening and universal administration of Rh immune globulin has decreased the incidence of HDFN to a great extent. Pregnancy, transfusion, and transplantation still increase the chances of other alloantibody formation and the potential for HDFN. Advanced methods for immunohematology investigation allow for the identification of alloantibodies causative for HDFN other than anti-D...

To date, 43 blood group systems with 349 red blood cell (RBC) antigens have been recognized. The study of their distribution is useful for blood services to improve their supply strategies for providing blood of rare phenotypes, but also to design indigenous RBC panels for alloantibody screening and identification. In Burkina Faso, the distribution of extended blood group antigens is not known. This study aimed to investigate the extended profiles of blood group antigens and phenotypes of this population and to raise limitations and potential strategies for the design of local RBC panels...

Complexities of D within the Rh blood group system have long been recognized, initially using basic serologic testing and, more recently, using advanced and sensitive typing reagents. Discrepancies may arise when an individual carries a D antigen showing altered D antigen expression. These D variants are clinically important, since they may lead to production of anti-D in the carrier and induce alloimmunization in D- recipients, making their correct identification imperative. For clinical purposes, D variants can be classified into three groups: weak D, partial D, and DEL...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Variant RHCE alleles are found mainly in Afro-descendant individuals, as well as in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). The most common variants are related to the RHCE*ce allele, which can generate partial e and c antigens. Although RHCE variant alleles have been extensively studied, defining their clinical significance is a difficult task. We evaluated the risk of RhCE alloimmunization as a consequence of partial antigens in patients with a positive phenotype transfused with red blood cell (RBC) units with the corresponding antigen...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

The MAM blood group system (International Society of Blood Transfusion [ISBT] 041) consists of one high-prevalence antigen to date, first detected in a 31-year-old woman during her third pregnancy. Epithelial membrane protein 3 ( EMP3 ) was recently identified as the gene coding the MAM antigen. Six unique genetic variants have been described in EMP3 in 11 MAM- individuals. EMP3 is an 18-kDa glycoprotein with a large extracellular domain containing at least one N -glycosylation site. The normal function of EMP3 is still unclear, but ex vivo culture of erythropoietic progenitor cells from MAM- individuals shows an increased yield of reticulocytes, suggesting that EMP3 acts as a brake during normal erythropoiesis...

The KANNO blood group system (International Society of Blood Transfusion [ISBT] 037) includes one high-prevalence antigen, KANNO1, across ethnic groups. Sporadic KANNO1- cases among East and South Asians are theoretically estimated by the DNA database library. Anti-KANNO1 has been found most often among Japanese women with current or prior pregnancy. Thus far, there are no reported cases of hemolytic transfusion reaction or hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn due to anti-KANNO1.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Proteolytic enzymes are used to treat red blood cells (RBCs) to aid in complex antibody identification. Although there are many enzymes that can be used, for the purpose of this method review, enzyme-treated RBCs refers only to RBCs treated with ficin or papain. Ficin and papain can increase the sensitivity of antibody detection by modifying the RBC membrane. Enzyme treatment and test methods can be performed using one-stage or two-stage procedures. Enzyme treatment is especially useful for the differentiation of multiple antibodies, enhancement of detection of weak antibodies, and adsorption methods...

Anti-D in individuals with a weak D phenotype is an unexpected finding that may require additional investigation to determine whether the anti-D is an autoantibody or alloantibody. Further investigation may also include assessment of the patient's RHD genotype and exclusion of anti-G. We present a case of an 84-year-old man with the weak D type 2 genotype who developed an unexpected anti-D along with anti-C. Individuals with the weak D type 2 genotype are thought not to be at risk for developing alloanti-D, although the distinction between alloanti-D and autoanti-D may be difficult to ascertain...

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) due to warm-reacting IgA autoantibodies is rare. Here, we explored the clinical and immunohematologic characteristics of patients suffering from IgA-associated warm AIHA (WAIHA) and their transfusion management. The 9-year study included 214 patients with WAIHA who were further classified into two groups: (1) IgA-associated WAIHA and (2) non-IgA-associated WAIHA. Clinical and laboratory details were obtained from patient files and the Hospital Information System. All immunohematologic investigations were performed following standard operating procedures and established protocols...

Despite knowing the benefits of the type and screen (TS) method in pre-transfusion testing (PTT), most transfusion centers in developing countries continue to be reluctant to adopt a TS strategy over the conventional type and antihuman globulin (AHG) crossmatch (TX) policy in their routine laboratory practice because of the cost of obtaining antibody screening reagents. To generate strong evidence, this multicenter, observational study was conducted in which we collected data prospectively over a 1-year period from six major blood centers in India...