Abstract
Using ethanol and acetone fractionation to isolate soluble blood group substances from red blood cells, Bombay Oh bloods were found to contain variable amounts of concealed H substance. The IgG [immunoglobulin G] variety of anti-H in Bombay blood has a greater affinity for these substances than the IgM variety of anti-H. Group O parents of Bombay Oh subjects had normal levels of H substance, indicating that individuals heterozygous for a recessive suppressor gene x synthesize it normally. In the Bombay family studied, Lewis determinants were abnormally expressed in 2 members. Lewis activity was detected in the soluble extracts of their red blood cells but not by the direct agglutination test. Further tests using known Le(a-b-) types are necessary to determine whether these findings are linked to the Bombay Oh phenomenon.