Rare Donors Case study #4: A case with anti-Yt(a)

This case study was prepared by Jessie Luken and Monique de Leeuw from Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

An 88‑year‑old woman with anemia and a history of anti‑Ytᵃ developed additional antibodies (anti‑K, anti‑Jkᵃ) after previous transfusions. Over time, her anti‑Ytᵃ reaction strength increased, and rBGA blocking was no longer effective. Yt(a–) Jk(a–) K– blood was unavailable, and an international search was not pursued due to her poor condition and previously uncomplicated Yt(a+) transfusions. She ultimately received Yt(a+) Jk(a–) K– units without observed transfusion reactions, though post‑transfusion hemolysis markers were not measured.

The case highlights uncertainty around the evolving significance of anti‑Ytᵃ and raises the key question: Is it still safe to transfuse Yt(a+) products?

Did you know that this case study is available for ISBT members as an eLearning module?

If you are a member and would like to ckeck the eLearning module, please visit: https://www.isbtweb.org/crm-member-homepage/crm-my-courses.html (Please first log in with your membership credentials).