ABSTRACT
Lutheran a antigen (Lua) is detected in 6 to 8% of Caucasians and Africans. In Korean and other Asian populations, it is very rare or nearly absent. Therefore, although Lua has a considerable immunizing capacity, sensitization to Lua is a rare event. Here we report on a rare case of anti-Lua in a 70 year-old female patient with Lu (a-/b+) phenotype and review the relevant literature. Due to the paucity of Lua positive panel cells in antibody screening and identification tests, detection of this rare antibody to Lua antigen is not feasible. Therefore, we should keep in mind the possibility of the misleading false negative result in detection of antibody to this low incidence antigen.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Asian People , Incidence , Lutheran Blood-Group System , Mass Screening , Phenotype , ProtestantismABSTRACT
Leucemias agudas necessitam de suporte hemoterápico para serem tratadas adequadamente. A presença do anticorpo anti-Lutheran B e a alta freqüência do antígeno em nossa população dificulta o tratamento de doenças hematológicas que necessitam de suporte transfusional, tais como a leucemia linfóide aguda (LLA). Alternativas de tratamento hemoterápico são abordadas neste artigo. Descreve-se o caso de uma paciente com LLA e anticorpo anti-Lutheran B. A dificuldade em encontrar sangue compatível levou os autores a adotarem estratégia conservadora no tratamento hemoterápico. O uso de eritropoetina e a adoção de protocolo quimioterápico individualizado viabilizaram os resultados obtidos.
Acute leukemia needs hemotherapeutic support to be successfully treated. The Lutheran B antibody, specifically the high frequency of this antigen in our population, has made it difficult to treat hematological malignancies that need transfusional support, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Finding compatible blood is complex and so the authors adopted a conservative treatment strategy. The prescription of epoetin and an individualized chemotherapy protocol may improve results. We describe a case report of a patient with anti-Lutheran B antibody and how difficulties to find compatible blood were solved.