To those not acquainted with this topic- Polyagglutination is a phenomenon causing discrepancy in blood grouping and cross matchnig. Common etiologies include : Bacterial infection and Myelodysplastic syndromes. The process involves either acquired desialyation of ABO antigens as in bacterial infections or somatic mutations involving hematopoietic progenitor cells as in Myelodysplastic syndromes. This causes a change in ABO blood group, usually transiently leading to misinterpretation (Both for donors and patients) and leading to catastropic consequences.
There may be a loss of antigen (of the ABO blood group) and other allied phenomenon. Polyagglutinible cells are usually agglutinated by lectins and all human sera other than their own sera/plasma. Agglutination is usually caused by Anti T antibodies which are Ig M in nature reacting at room or colder temperatures. The crypticantigens…
