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The properties of a factor causing panagglutination of erythrocytes are described. The factor was found in the sera of three patients when blood was tested for transfusion. Panagglutination appeared in the indirect antiglobulin test when the erythrocytes were being washed with 0.15 M NaCl without addition of phosphate buffer. The method for cross testing in such cases was elaborated, with washing the cells with 0.15 M NaCl buffered with phosphates.

Investigations of 24 series of anti-Rh(D) immunoglobulins showed presence of arythrocyte antibodies with properties: anti--A (8) and anti--B (9) reacting only in antiglobulin test and anti-C (23), anti-E (16) and anti-s (2). In 8 preparations antibodies of HLA system were found with reactions of lymphocytes. In 2 series antibodies of HLA system were found with reactions of lymphocytes. In 2 series antibodies of HLA system were demonstrated by the C fixation with platelets method. No antibodies were detected against specific antigens of platelets and against to immunoglobulins class IgA. No preparation contained HBs antigen and corresponding antibodies. In 19 series of immunoglobulins anti-HBs antibodies were present.

Fifty-four men were immunized with Rh-positive blood for induction of anti-Rh antibodies. The method of immunization used allowed the planned effect to be obtained in 56% of cases. Starting with the 5th month after administration of the first antigenic stimulus the plasma of 17 subjects could be used for production of anti-D immunoglobulin. No reliable results were obtained in investigations of early phase of serologically undetectable immune response using the test of local haemolysis in gel (plaque-forming cells).

The present paper is a continuation of studies for establishing the optimal schedule of blood-donor immunization for obtaining of plasma suitable for production of anti-RhD immunoglobulin. After 3 years of observation of 12 immunized subjects it was found that stimulation of the secondary immune response should be done with small doses (0.5-1 ml) of blood injected intravenously at long time intervals, that is 1-3 times in a year. This method leads to a high and long-term rise in the titre of antibodies exceeding in all cases the value of 1/128 in indirect antiglobulin test, that is suitable for production of the preparation Gamma anti-D 150.

The authors present the results of family investigations carried out in a healthy man whose serum contained anti-IDBH alloantibodies. In the erythrocytes of the propositus and one of his brothers defects in ID and IS components were found. At the same time increased expression of IT component was observed in both these men and in their brother. In the erythrocytes of the remaining family members no abnormalities in the components of I complex was found. The authors stress the importance of detection of these defects in the practice of transfusiology in patients with autoimmunohaemolytic anaemia.

Two phenotypes with defect of sialic acid in the cell membrane of erythrocytes due to some unknown factor, imitating the weak variant of antigen A are reported. One of them found in a healthy candidate for blood donation was called Tn. The second one associated with thrombocytopenia and anaemia differed from all as yet classified ones in that it had simultaneously increased expression of antigen H and lack of reaction with Dolichos biflorus lectin. For demonstrating the diagnostic difficulties differentiation against the weak variant of antigen A approaching A3 is described.

A series of comparative investigations were carried out for estimation of the value of the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) in the modification of Löw and Messeter in which a suspension of erythrocytes in low ionic-strength salt solution called by the authors LISS, is used for incubation of erythrocytes with tested serum, that is in phase I of this test. The results of these experiments demonstrated a significant superiority of this modification over the conventional techniques, particularly over the tile technique used generally in this country. The IAT-LISE method allows not only phase I to be reduced from 60 to 20 minutes, but increasing the intensity of the reaction it facilitates also detection of blood group antibodies and extends the range of their discovery, which is of particular importance in the compatibility tests before blood transfusion. These results were a basis for routine application of this method nad it was concluded that the IAT-LISS modification should be introduced widely in the Polish serological laboratories. Attention is called to a number of technical details important to obtain reproducible and une quivocal results.

The authors report the results of blood group determinations in a 9-year-old girl in whom two populations of erythrocytes were discovered. The larger population accounting for nearly 80% of erythrocytes contained the antigen A2, the smaller population had the B antigen. Besides that differences were observed in the antigens of Duffy and Lewis systems. In the saliva A and H antigens were revealed. Familial investigations indicated the participation of two gametes of maternal origin (mother--AB, father--O) although no evidence of twin pregnancy was available. The cause of this chimaerism has not been explained.

The authors report the results of investigations on stimulation of secondary immunological response in 30 subjects immunized with antigen D for obtaining highly active sera for production of anti-D immunoglobulin. The analysis of these results showed that application of frequent antigenic stimuli leads to a short-term rise in the antibody level but in 10 cases no expected effect was obtained. None of the immunized subjects produced serologically detectable antibodies reacting with platelets.

Using a Technicon autoanalyzer method of Marsh 752 sera of patients, Rh-negative subjects in the initial stage of immunization with Rh-positive blood, and healthy blood donors were investigated. In 56 sera (8.7%) positive reactions with standard erythrocytes were found. In 21 of these cases (36%) specificity of antibodies was established. They were mostly alloantibodies or autoantibodies against Rh antigens. In 1 case anti-Ika alloantibody and in 1 case anti-K autoantibody were demonstrated. Antibodies with undetermined specificity belonged to the so called "analyzer antibodies", which are detected only by the automatic methods, and probably have no clinical importance. The possibility of recording by the autoanalyzer of subthreshold levels of alloantibodies undetected by other methods may be of great practical importance of patients receiving multiple transfusions of blood and for immunized blood donors.