Erythroid homograft following leukocyte transfusion in a patient with acute leukemia. II. Serologic and immunochemical studies.

Abstract

THE APPEARANCE of female Philadelphia (Ph1) chromosomes in a male patient of blood group O who had received a transfusion of leukocyte-rich plasma from a female of blood group A with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), made it possible to conduct a study of blood groups during induction, growth and rejection of a hematopoietic graft. The recipient was being treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia. Observations were made on red cell, white cell and platelet antigens and their corresponding antibodies as well as the serum gamma globulin (Gm and Inv) groups. Only the data on red cell systems were conclusive. After the recipient showed doubling of his red cell mass, 85 per cent of these red cells were of the donor group A. Despite the presence of group A cells some free anti-A agglutinin was present throughout most of the two month graft life. Anti-B agglutinins appeared in very high titer. When the graft was rejected, immune anti-A hemolysin appeared and the cells of donor group A were rapidly destroyed.