BOF: Transfusion (Red Cell Serology)

When identifying compatible blood for a patient, which ONE of the following atypical red cell antibodies is most problematic in the transfused UK sickle cell population?

a) Anti-Fyᵃ

b) Anti-K

c) Anti-k

d) Anti-M

e) Anti-e

Answer:

a) Anti-Fyᵃ

Explanation:

The profoundly different frequency of the Fyᵃ expression between black and white ethnic backgrounds, and the donor pool available, makes development of anti-Fyᵃ antibodies and identification of donor red cells problematic in the UK.

Reference:

Mollison's Blood Transfusion in Clinical Medicine. Harvey G. Klein, David J. Anstee. John Wiley & Sons, 14 Nov 2013

This is a reference text and not open access; but you may well find it in your transfusion laboratory.