First example of Rh:–32,–46 red cell phenotype

The red cells of a white male blood donor typed as Rh:–1, –2, –3,w4,w5,6,–17,w19,–31,–32,–34, and –46. Although the donor has no history of transfusion, his serum contains an alloantibody that is weakly reactive with most red blood cells (RBCs) tested. Only Rh_null and D–– RBCs are nonreactive. Reactivity is enhanced with ficin- or papain-treated RBCs and is unaffected by AET or DTT treatment of the RBCs. Previously described Rh:–46 RBCs have been of deletion types D––, D••, and Rh_null or Rh:32. In three multitransfused patients, the Rh46 antigen was temporarily suppressed and the phenotype eventually reverted to normal. This is the first report of RBCs of the Rh:–32,–46 phenotype that are not of a rare Rh deletion or Rh_null type. In addition, the Rh:w5,w19,–31,–34 phenotype is rarely found in whites. Immunohematology 1994; 10:130–133.