Autoanti-Jkb and a transient autoanti-E were identified in a patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and red blood cells negative for Jk b and E antigens were transfused. Twelve weeks after transfusion, the autoantibody appeared to have developed broad specificity. However, autoadsorption studies revealed that the broad reactivity was due to the development of alloanti-Jk" in addition to the autoanti-Jk Routine detection of an autoantibody with activity against a specific red blood cell (RBC) antigen is unusual in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and the autoantibody eventually develops broad specificity in many of these patients. ' We report a patient with hemolytic anemia due to autoanti-Jk
CASE REPORTA 38-year-old white woman was admitted to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for a total hip replacement due to complications