Background: Several Rh D phenotypes with partial D antigens are recognized. Some partial D antigens are associated with low-incidence Rh antigens. New partial D antigens are revealed by an atypical pattern of reactions with anti-D.
Study design and methods: The reactions of D variant cells with panels of monoclonal anti-D and with antibodies to low-incidence antigens were compared to those of known D categories to identify a new Rh D phenotype. The inheritance of partial D antigens was studied by Rh phenotyping of the families of the probands. Standard serologic methods were used and family data were analyzed.
Results: A new Rh D phenotype, to be called DFR, was identified in 17 probands, two of whom had made anti-D. The partial D antigen carries epD3, epD4, and epD9 and lacks epD8. The presence of other D epitopes is ambiguous; different answers were obtained for the same sample with different monoclonal anti-D of the same apparent epitope specificity. The immunoglobulin class of the anti-D was important: IgG were more successful than IgM monoclonal anti-D in detecting the partial D of DFR. Family studies showed that DFR traveled with Ce more frequently than with cE. The low-incidence antigen FPTT (International Society of Blood Transfusion number 700048) was found on all DFR samples. Family studies demonstrated that FPTT is, as suspected, part of the complex Rh system.
Conclusion: The partial D of the Rh D phenotype, DFR, is recognized by its pattern of reactions with monoclonal anti-D and its association with the low-incidence antigen FPTT, FPTT has now been numbered Rh50.