[A new case of allo-anti-LWab]

A patient admitted to hospital for hip replacement was found incompatible in pretransfusion testing due to allo-anti-LWab antibody, as well as anti-JKb, anti-E and anti-IH antibodies. The patient had a rare phenotype LW(a-b-ab-). The antibodies were acquired though pregnancy and/or transfusion. This newly discovered anti-LWab allowed us to study and emphasize the relevant serological and transfusional aspects related to incompatibility caused by "public" antibodies in association with other alloantibodies. We attempted to update the LW system in the light of Sistonen and Tippett's recent discoveries. We collected the required compatible units of blood through autologous donations and a Central Canadian Red Cross Registry for rare donors.