Treatment with plasma exchange of a pregnant woman with anti-pp1pk alloimmunization: a case report

The histo-blood group antigens P, P1 and Pk are a closely related set of glycosphingolipid structures expressed by red blood cells and other tissues. None of these three characters is expressed on p cells, a null phenotype that arises in the context of homozygous mutation of the A4GALT gene. Subjects with p phenotype spontaneously develop a natural alloantibody named anti-PP1Pk, which is a mixture of IgG and IgM against P1, P and Pk. While anti-P1 is a weak cold antibody with poor clinical significance, anti-P and anti-Pk antibodies are potent haemolysins responsible for severe haemolytic transfusion reactions.

Source: Transfusion and Apheresis Science - January 9, 2024 Category: Hematology Authors: O. Pignalosa, E. Vigorita, M. Capuano, S. Caruso, A. Mastroianni, S. De Martino, G. Vaccaro, D. Meomartini, C. Nocera Source Type: research