Transfusion reactions in the absence of demonstrable incompatibility.

Abstract

HEMOLYTIC transfusion reactions may occur after the administration of donor bloods even when they have apparently been shown compatible by crossmatch tests. Often these have been attributed to laboratory error. This is especially true when, as in many cases, abundant antibody against donor red cells is found in the recipient's post-transfusion serum. In 2 cases of severe hemolytic transfusion reaction we have been able to demonstrate specific antibodies appearing later in the patient's serum, and to confirm that these were absent in the pretransfusion serum. Case 1. A 28-year-old housewife had had 6 transfusions in the previous 9 years, the . . .