The Antigenicity of the Rho (Du) Blood Factor

Abstract

Abstract The antigenicity of the Rh variant Rho(Du) was investigated by the transfusion of 45 Rh negative (cde/cde) patients with 68 units of "low grade" Rho (Du) blood of the phenotypes Rho(ccDuee) or Rh2(ccDuE). The donor red cells had normal viability; none of the patients made antibodies to Rho(D) or Rho(Du). The results indicate that the inherited, "low grade" Rho(Du) factor is far less antigenic than Rho(D). It was also less antigenic than Kell or rh'' (E) in this study. It remains possible that this variant will prove to be antigenic in some recipients, but the hazard from this is undoubtedly much less than has been expected.