Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
New Mik blood group found in domestic shorthair cats
By Weinstein, Nicole M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2007·School of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A newly recognized blood group in domestic shorthair cats: the Mik red cell antigen.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of domestic shorthair cats was tested for a newly discovered blood group called the Mik red cell antigen, which can cause serious reactions during blood transfusions. In one case, a cat that had received a blood transfusion experienced a dangerous reaction because it lacked this antigen and had developed antibodies against it. The study found that some cats had these antibodies, which could lead to complications if they receive blood from other cats that do not match their blood type. Understanding this new blood group is important for safe blood transfusions in cats.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Naturally occurring alloantibodies produced against A and B red cell antigens in cats can cause acute hemolytic transfusion reactions. Blood incompatibilities, unrelated to the AB blood group system, have also been suspected after blood transfusions through routine crossmatch testing or as a result of hemolytic transfusion reactions. HYPOTHESIS: Incompatible crossmatch results among AB compatible cats signify the presence of a naturally occurring alloantibody against a newly identified blood antigen in a group of previously never transfused blood donor cats. The associated alloantibody is clinically important based upon a hemolytic transfusion reaction after inadvertent transfusion of red cells expressing this red cell antigen in a feline renal transplant recipient that lacks this red cell antigen. METHODS: Blood donor and nonblood donor cats were evaluated for the presence of auto- and alloantibodies using direct antiglobulin and crossmatch tests, respectively, and were blood typed for AB blood group status. Both standard tube and novel gel column techniques were used. RESULTS: Plasma from 3 of 65 cats and 1 feline renal transplant recipient caused incompatible crossmatch test results with AB compatible erythrocytes indicating these cats formed an alloantibody against a red cell antigen they lack, termed Mik. The 3 donors and the renal transplant recipient were crossmatch-compatible with one another. Tube and gel column crossmatch test results were similar. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The absence of this novel Mik red cell antigen can be associated with naturally occurring anti-Mik alloantibodies and can elicit an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction after an AB-matched blood transfusion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17427390/