The Duffy Blood Group System in Transfusion Reactions: A Review of the Literature and Report of Four Cases

1. The literature on the incidence and inheritance of the "Duffy" blood group factors and their significance in blood transfusion and erythroblastosis fetalis is briefly reviewed.

2. Four new cases in which anti-Fy^a was detected are reported.

3. The necessity for the use of the Coombs’ compatibility test with a potent Coombs’ serum to prevent reactions due to anti-Fy^a is re-emphasized.

4. The inadequacy of a 15 minute incubation period for the Coombs’ compatibility test in certain cases is noted.

5. The desirability of specific identification of an antibody detected in a patient’s serum prior to transfusion whenever possible is suggested.