A Further Example of the Kell Blood Group Phenotype K–,k–,Kp(a–b–)

Abstract

IN an earlier communication¹, we reported two sisters having the Kell phenotype K–,k–,Kp(a–b–). The parents were second cousins, and it was assumed that the sisters were homozygous for a Kell gene the product of which does not react with any of the known Kell antisera. Allen et al. ² later gave this gene the abbreviation K⁰. Alternatively, there may be a deletion or suppression. We have sought for other examples of this phenotype by using the serum of the propositus of the above family by the capillary–papain method³; by this method the serum reacts with all K+ or k+ bloods. The 3,122nd blood so tested did not react, indicating that it was of the phenotype we sought. This was confirmed by testing with anti-K, anti-k, anti-Kp^a and anti-kp^b; it reacted with none of these.