Introduction. Blood groups are inherited biological characteristics that do
not change throughout life in healthy people. Blood groups represent antigens
found on the surface of red blood cells. Kell blood group system consists of
31 antigens. Kell antigen (K) is present in 0.2% of the population (the rare
blood group). Cellano antigen is present in more than 99% (the high-frequency
antigen). These antigens have a distinct ability to cause an immune response
in the people after blood transfusion or pregnancy who, otherwise, did not
have them before. Case Report. This paper presents a blood donor with a rare
blood group, who was found to have an irregular antibody against red blood
cells by indirect antiglobulin test. Further testing determined the
specificity of antibody to be anti-Cellano. The detected antibody was found
in high titers (1024) with erythrocyte phenotype Kell-Cellano+. The blood
donor was found to have a rare blood group KellKell. This donor was excluded
from further blood donation. It is difficult to find compatible blood for a
person who has developed an antibody to the high-frequency antigen. The
donor?s family members were tested and Cellano antigen was detected in her
husband and child. A potential blood donor was not found among the family
members. There was only one blood donor in the Register of blood donors who
was compatible in the ABO and Kell blood group system. Conclusion. For the
successful management of blood transfusion it is necessary to establish a
unified national register of donors of rare blood groups and cooperate with
the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory in Bristol with the
database that registers donors of rare blood groups from around the world.
Rare blood donors with irregular antibodies