The Redelberger antigen: a family study, a family story

The Redelberger antigen (Rb^a) was first discovered in 1974 on the RBCs of a blood donor who was an employee of the Community Blood Center in Dayton, Ohio. The discovery was made as a result of the investigation of a reagent contamination problem. Two examples of the Rb^a antigen were subsequently identified in the United Kingdom, but no “new”examples have been identified in the United States or Europe. Anti-Rb^a is a commonly occurring antibody, often found in combination with other antibody specificities, especially in combination with other antibodies to low-incidence antigens. Immunohematology2006;22:48–51.