GRANULOCYTE TRANSFUSION FROM A DONOR WITH Jk^a-POSITIVE RED CELLS TO A CHILD PATIENT WITH ANTI-Jk^a

Abstract

We report a case of aplastic anemia in a child complicated by severe infection, for which granulocytes with incompatible red cells (total 160 ml) were transfused. A pediatric patient known to have anti-Jk^a antibodies (titer 1) developed sepsis and multi-organ failure during immunosuppressive therapy. An ABO-compatible related donor was found to be Jk (a+b-). In this instance, no hemolytic transfusion reaction was observed. Among Japanese, only 30% of ABO-compatible donors are Jk (a-). After granulocyte transfusion, the direct antiglobulin test remained negative and anti-Jk^a titers did not rise. No hemolysis of Jk (a+) red cells was evident from biochemical and serological tests.