Autoimmunity and the Kell Blood Groups: Auto‐Anti‐Kpb in a Kp(a+b‐) Patient

Abstract
An example of auto-anti-Kpb in a Kp (a + b-) patient is described. The antibody present in the patient''s serum and in eluates from her red cells was IgG. It did not bind complement, and did not cause in vivo hemolysis. Nine mo. after recognition of the autoimmune state the direct antiglobulin test had become negative and anti-Kpb was no longer detectable. Autoimmunity involving the Kell blood group may be precipitated by antigens or enzymes of microbial origin.