Which antibodies can demonstrate mixed-field reactions?

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Multiple Choice

Which antibodies can demonstrate mixed-field reactions?

Mixed-field reactions appear when two populations of red cells, differing by the presence or absence of a specific antigen, are tested in the same reaction. Antibodies against Lutheran antigens, especially anti-Lua, are a classic example: most people have the Lua antigen on their RBCs, but a notable minority do not. When serum containing anti-Lua reacts with a mixed donor population—some Lua-positive cells will agglutinate while Lua-negative cells will not—you see both agglutinated and non-agglutinated cells in the same field. That dual popu­lation pattern is the hallmark of a mixed-field reaction. Other antibody systems (Kidd, Duffy, Rh, Kell, MNSs) typically produce uniform reactions that don’t show this two-population pattern, so they’re not the classic cause of mixed-field results.

Mixed-field reactions appear when two populations of red cells, differing by the presence or absence of a specific antigen, are tested in the same reaction. Antibodies against Lutheran antigens, especially anti-Lua, are a classic example: most people have the Lua antigen on their RBCs, but a notable minority do not. When serum containing anti-Lua reacts with a mixed donor population—some Lua-positive cells will agglutinate while Lua-negative cells will not—you see both agglutinated and non-agglutinated cells in the same field. That dual popu­lation pattern is the hallmark of a mixed-field reaction.

Other antibody systems (Kidd, Duffy, Rh, Kell, MNSs) typically produce uniform reactions that don’t show this two-population pattern, so they’re not the classic cause of mixed-field results.

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