Rh antigen determination: A marker for erythroid engraftment and proliferation after ABO compatible allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Kim, Myungshin; Lim, Jihyang; Lee, Gyoo Whung; Kim, Yonggoo; Lee, Jong Wook; Han, Kyungja; Kim, Chun Choo; Kim, Won Il

Abstract

BACKGROUND
S: It is useful to estimate the percentage of donor's red cell population in the recipient's blood for determinating the erythroid engraftment and proliferation after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We evaluate the usefulness of Rh antigen determination by flow cytometry and agglutination method for the decision of erythroid engraftment and proliferation after ABO compatible BMT.
METHODS
In the case of ABO compatible, Rh mismatched BMT (donor; ccDEE, recipient; Ccdee), the percentage of donor typed red cells was estimated by the flow cytometric analysis using polyclonal anti-D sera during the follow-up period by weekly. At the same time, the agglutination test using polyclonal/monoclonal anti-D sera and monoclonal anti-E sera were performed.
RESULTS
At 4th week after BMT, the percentage of RhD positive-donor typed red cells was increased up to 5% in flow cytometric analysis, whereas the agglutination test did not reveal any changes of agglutination in reaction using anti-D and anti-E antibodies. At 5th week after BMT, about 10% of RhD positive cells were identified by flow cytometry, the agglutination test for D and E antigen determination revealed the changes of agglutination strength at first. At 12th week after BMT, 95% of patient's red cells converted RhD positive in flow cytometric analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Rh antigen determinations by flow cytometric analysis and agglutination test are useful to estimate erythroid engraftment and proliferation after ABO compatible BMT.