First example of Rh:-32,-46 red cell phenotype.

ABSTRACT

The red cells of a white male blood donor typed as Rh-1, -2, -3,w4,w5,6,-17,w19,-31,-32,-34, and -46. Although the donor has no history of transfusion, his serum contains an alloantibody that is weakly reactive with most red blood cells (RBCs) tested. Only Rhnull and D-- RBCs are nonreactive. Reactivity is enhanced with ficin- or papain-treated RBCs and is unaffected by AET or DTT treatment of the RBCs. Previously described Rh-46 RBCs have been of deletion types D--, D, and Rhnull, or Rh32. In three multitransfused patients, the Rh46 antigen was temporarily suppressed and the phenotype eventually reverted to normal. This is the first report of RBCs of the Rh-32,-46 phenotype that are not of a rare Rh deletion or Rhnull type. In addition, the Rhw5,w19,-31,-34 phenotype is rarely found in whites.