Which antibodies are likely implicated in a patient with a positive antibody screen at the AHG phase?

A positive antibody screen at the Anti-Human Globulin (AHG) phase suggests that there are antibodies present that are reacting with red blood cell antigens in the presence of the AHG reagent. This reagent is used to enhance the detection of certain antibodies that may not be detectable at room temperature or under other test conditions.

In this context, the identification of antibody combinations that are more likely to react in the AHG phase is critical. The antibodies implicated in this phase would generally include those that are IgG in nature and are known to have clinically significant interactions, particularly those that can cause hemolytic transfusion reactions.

The combination of E and c antibodies is particularly significant because these antibodies are often IgG and are known to react at body temperature and in the AHG phase. Antibodies to E (part of the Rh blood group) and the cell surface antigen c (part of the Rh system) have documented associations with hemolytic disease of the newborn as well as complications in transfusions, making them a key concern when there is a positive antibody screen.

In contrast, other combinations, like C and K or Jka and c, may include antibodies that are less commonly seen together or are not as frequently implicated specifically at the