GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST ANTI-RHO(D) FOLLOWING MINOR RH-INCOMPATIBLE ORTHOTOPIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

Hemolysis caused by ABO antibodies after ABO-compatible, nonidentical solid organ transplantation has been previously reported. The passenger B lymphocytes within the donor organ presumably generate an acute, primarily red cell-directed graft vs. host (GVH) response. Graft survival may also be compromised. GVH Rh antibodies have also been described, primarily in renal transplants. Only three cases, two only in abstract form, have been reported thus far describing GVH Rh antibodies in liver transplant patients, to which we add a fourth. A 62-year-old blood group A Rho(D)-positive woman with cirrhosis underwent orthotopic liver transplantation from a group A Rho(D)-negative, previously Rho(D)-sensitized donor and subsequently developed acute, self-limited hemolysis requiring four units of packed red cells. Anti-Rho(D) was identified in both serum and red cell eluate. An antibody detection test, identification, and assessment of the antibody reactivity score from the pretransplant donor specimen may identify patients at risk for hemolysis due to GVH Rh antibodies. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.