What could be the cause of the ABO discrepancy in a 28-week pregnant patient showing anti-A 3+ and anti-B 4+?

What could be the cause of the ABO discrepancy in a 28-week pregnant patient showing anti-A 3+ and anti-B 4+?

• A. Hypogammaglobulinemia
• B. Alloantibody in patient serum
• C. Acquired B
• D. Weak subgroup

Answer: (B)

In the context of ABO discrepancies, the presence of both anti-A and anti-B antibodies at significant strengths, such as 3+ and 4+, can indicate the presence of an alloantibody in the patient's serum. This situation commonly arises when a patient has been sensitized to foreign A or B antigens, possibly through blood transfusions, pregnancy, or previous sensitization events. In this specific case, a pregnant patient might have developed an alloantibody due to exposure to different ABO blood group antigens from a fetus that has a different ABO type than the mother. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy, where the mother’s immune system can produce antibodies against the fetal antigens that are perceived as foreign. These alloantibodies can cause discrepancies when serological testing is performed, particularly when the mother's serum is tested against A and B red blood cells. The other options do not specifically explain the observed strong reactions in this scenario. For example, hypogammaglobulinemia would typically lead to weak or absent antibody responses. Acquired B is associated with the presence of a weak B antigen that can lead to discrepancies but would not normally result in strong anti-B reactivity in the patient's serum. A weak subgroup of A could potentially

In the context of ABO discrepancies, the presence of both anti-A and anti-B antibodies at significant strengths, such as 3+ and 4+, can indicate the presence of an alloantibody in the patient's serum. This situation commonly arises when a patient has been sensitized to foreign A or B antigens, possibly through blood transfusions, pregnancy, or previous sensitization events.

In this specific case, a pregnant patient might have developed an alloantibody due to exposure to different ABO blood group antigens from a fetus that has a different ABO type than the mother. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy, where the mother’s immune system can produce antibodies against the fetal antigens that are perceived as foreign. These alloantibodies can cause discrepancies when serological testing is performed, particularly when the mother's serum is tested against A and B red blood cells.

The other options do not specifically explain the observed strong reactions in this scenario. For example, hypogammaglobulinemia would typically lead to weak or absent antibody responses. Acquired B is associated with the presence of a weak B antigen that can lead to discrepancies but would not normally result in strong anti-B reactivity in the patient's serum. A weak subgroup of A could potentially