Successful Orthotopic Heart Transplantation in a Patient with Anti-U Antibody

Lab Med. 2022 Jul 4;53(4):e77-e78. doi: 10.1093/labmed/lmab100.

Abstract

Objective: The U (universal) antigen is part of the MNS blood group present at a frequency of nearly 100% in Caucasians and 98% of African Americans. The anti-U antibody is clinically significant and has been reported to cause hemolytic transfusion reactions and hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.

Methods: Routine forward and backward typing, direct antiglobulin testing, and an antibody screen were performed. In addition, red blood cell phenotype and adsorption studies were also performed.

Results: The patient was found to have a rare anti-U antibody, rendering all available inventory in our hospital incompatible for transfusion.

Conclusion: This is the first reported case of solid organ transplantation in a patient with an anti-U alloantibody. Appropriate pretransplant evaluation and coordination between the clinical team and transfusion medicine service must be optimized to procure rare packed red blood cell units in a timely manner.

Keywords: anti-U antibody; deglycerolized; frozen units; heart transplant; solid organ transplant; transfusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Erythrocytes
  • Female
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Hemolysis
  • Humans
  • Isoantibodies
  • Transfusion Reaction*

Substances

  • Isoantibodies