Persistent Mixed Field Polyagglutinability

Abstract

Abstract. The red cells of a 28‐year‐old healthy group O donor, Mr. O.S. (OS‐cells), have persisted, over 4 years of investigation, in showing mixed field polyagglutinability. About 50% of the red cells are agglutinated by the great majority of human sera from adults, by some seed and snail extracts and by the serum of various animals. The cells further show a certain affinity for anti‐A reagents which can be distinguished from that of true A cells. The sialic acid content of the polyagglutinable fraction of the cells is decreased with consequent reduction in their electrophoretic mobility. Inhibition tests show that the disturbance involves n‐acetyl‐d‐galactosamine. Both absorption and in uino survival tests showed that not only the agglutinable but also the cells are abnormal. The available family gives no clue to whether the condition is genetic. The polyagglutinable reaction of OS‐cells, which is not due to anti‐T but may be due to anti‐Tn or an antibody at present indistinguishable from it, is compared with that of other types of polyagglutinability.