Fatal delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction associated with anti-Di(b) and anti-E

Abstract

We report the death of a 61-year-old Japanese man massively transfused during and after emergency aortic surgery. Postoperative on day 8, he died after cardiac arrest associated with hyperkalemia. Indirect antiglobulin testing demonstrated both anti-Di(b) and anti-E antibodies pre-transfusion, and elevation of their titers as the delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction evolved. Monocyte monolayer assay (induction of reactive monocytes) and flow cytometry (increase of IgG1 and/or IgG3) gave evidence of the clinical significance of both antibodies. Anti-Di(b) must be considered when an antibody to a high incidence antigen is found in Japanese and other Mongoloid populations.