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Case Reports
. 2024 Dec 18;16(12):e75975.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.75975. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Unveiling Clinically Significant Anti-Lewis Antibodies: A Case Report

Muhammad 'Aqil Nazahah Mohamad Mustafa  1 , Mohammad Faqis Abdul Aziz  1 , Adibah Daud  2 , Sharifah Sakinah Syed Abdul Rahman  2 , Mohammad Hudzaifah Nordin  3 , Razan Hayati Zulkeflee  4 , Sumaiyah Adzahar  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Unveiling Clinically Significant Anti-Lewis Antibodies: A Case Report

Muhammad 'Aqil Nazahah Mohamad Mustafa et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Lewis antibodies, such as anti-Lea and anti-Leb, are commonly encountered in routine immunohematology. They are typically IgM in nature and are generally considered clinically insignificant, as they rarely cause hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) or hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). However, rare cases have been reported where anti-Lewis antibodies caused mild transfusion reactions. In this case report, we describe a 69-year-old male with sepsis secondary to a neck carbuncle who was found to have clinically significant anti-Lewis antibodies. These antibodies presented a challenge during crossmatching, as only two out of seven units of packed red blood cells were compatible. This case underscores the importance of thorough pre-transfusion testing to ensure safe and effective blood transfusion practices.

Keywords: anti-lewis antibodies; blood group; clinical significance antibody; hemolytic transfusion reaction; phenotyping.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: This project was supported by Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) under the Dana Penyelidikan Universiti (UniSZA/2023/GOT/01). Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. (A) Patient blood group was AB, rhesus positive; (B) Antibody screening was positive in cells I and II.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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