Transfusion significance of Lewis system antibodies

Abstract

A nationwide survey of hospital blood banks conducted in February 1979 indicated that the majority of respondents require only reagent tested Lea and/or Leb negative blood for transfusion to patients with Lewis system antibodies in their serum. The policy was followed even if the antibody(ies) no longer was demonstrable in the serum or was reactive at room temperature and below. Only 11.4 per cent select blood for these patients on the basis of major crossmatch compatibility alone; 56 per cent require only reagent tested antigen negative blood for transfusion under all circumstances. The results of this survey and a review of the literature indicate the need for further studies on the transfusion significance of Lewis system antibodies.