Antibodies to granulocytes detected by an indirect immunofluorescence method not requiring chemical modification of cells

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Abstract
IgG antibodies to neutrophil polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were detected by a simple indirect immunofluorescence method that did not require chemical or enzymatic modification of the cells. Based on recent information about the human PMN Fc .gamma.-receptor, nonspecific binding of IgG to PMN was virtually completely prevented by incubating cells at 37.degree. C with human serum diluted 1 to 3 in the presence of a high concentration of rabbit IgG. This also facilitated distinction of sera with weak anti-PMN activity from normal sera. Nonspecific staining remained on a fraction (10-25%) of mononuclear leukocytes. Following 1st-time transfusion of 0.5-5 units of whole blood or red cell concentrate, 4 of 27 patients (15%) developed anti-leukocyte antibodies. Anti-leukocyte antibodies were detected in 51% of 47 patients with reported febrile transfusion reactions; the IgG antibodies bound to PMN in 38% of these 47 patients. Since only about 1 in 3 patients with febrile transfusion reactions had detectable IgG anti-PMN antibodies, fever may be caused by lysis of leukocytes other than PMN.