title: An example of anti-Yta demonstrating a change in its clinical significance.
abstract: The clinical significance of some red cell alloantibodies remains in doubt and can best be studied with long-term 51Cr survival studies. We report a patient whose IgG anti-Yta was initially shown not to shorten the lifespan of 51Cr-labeled Yt(a+) red cells. At the time of this study, the subclass of the antibody could not be determined. Twelve weeks after transfusion with 4 units of Yt(a+) red cells, the alloantibody for the first time was demonstrable as IgG1; a repeat radiolabeled red cell survival demonstrated significant shortening of the lifespan of Yt(a+) red cells when they were followed for 7 days. These cells had a marked 'two-component' survival curve. Because the patient also demonstrated autoantibody coating his red cells, the clinical effect of this autoantibody was followed with autologous red cells labeled with 111In; the survival of autologous red cells was normal throughout these studies. Evaluation of the clinical significance of an alloantibody in a patient may require long-term 51Cr red cell survival studies and repetition of these studies after exposure to large quantities of the antigen.
authors.affiliation: American Red Cross Blood Services, Rochester Region, N.Y.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: AuBuchon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brightman
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000742:Anemia, Dyserythropoietic, Congenital / Q000097:blood*; D000745:Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital / Q000097:blood*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000502:physiology*; D001789:Blood Group Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D004905:Erythrocyte Aging; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D002860:Chromium Radioisotopes; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007518:Isoantibodies