Characterization of Anti-Dal Alloantibodies Following Sensitization of Two Dal-Negative Dogs

Abstract

Since its discovery, the immunogenicity of the Dal blood type has not been further investigated. The aim of this study was to better characterize anti- Dal alloantibodies produced following sensitization of Dal-negative dogs, notably their rate of appearance, the agglutination titer over time, and their immunoglobulin class. A secondary objective was to obtain polyclonal anti- Dal alloantibodies to increase the availability of Dal blood typing. Of 100 healthy laboratory Beagles tested, 2 Dal-negative dogs were identified as recipients. Ten healthy Dal-positive dogs were investigated as potential blood donors. All dogs were extensively blood typed for DEA 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7, as well as for Dal. Then, the recipients were transfused uneventfully with 10 ml/kg of Dal-positive but otherwise compatible packed red blood cells. Posttransfusion blood samples were collected routinely over a minimum of 1 year. Using a gel column technology, anti- Dal alloantibodies were detected as early as 4 days posttransfusion and remained detectable 2 years posttransfusion, with maximum agglutination titers reached at 1 and 2 months posttransfusion. The immunoglobulin class was IgG. The immunogenicity and clinical significance of the Dal blood type were confirmed. The results support the recommendations that previously transfused dogs be crossmatched starting 4 days posttransfusion and for the animal's lifetime. The polyclonal anti- Dal antibodies produced will allow blood typing of a significant number of dogs, especially transfused dogs facing blood incompatibilities and canine blood donors.

Survey of Two New (Kai 1 and Kai 2) and Other Blood Groups in Dogs of North America

“…Blais. et al., unpublished data) . Finally, consistent with prior observations, plasma from the previously untransfused DEA 1‐ dogs screened indicated a lack of naturally occurring anti‐DEA 1 alloantibodies.…”

“…Blood typing for Kai 1 and Kai 2 was determined by traditional tube agglutination assays in South Korea. We adapted the gel column technique for Kai 1 and 2 typing and alloantibody studies with neutral NaCl gel column cards, which can be better standardized and are simple to perform and interpret, as we have previously shown for DEA 1 and other DEA types as well as Dal types . The degree of agglutination was very strong (3+ or 4+) for both Kai 1 and Kai 2 antigens in nearly all cases with a few samples giving weaker reactions (2+).…”

“…In contrast, Dal was thought to be a high-frequency red cell antigen with Daloriginally only found in a few Dalmatians, but larger surveys found Dal-dogs in Dobermans and other breeds and thus, it should be recognized as a blood group. [8][9][10][11][12] Blood typing for Kai 1 and Kai 2 was determined by traditional tube agglutination assays in South Korea. We adapted the gel column technique for Kai 1 and 2 typing and alloantibody studies with neutral NaCl gel column cards, which can be better standardized and are simple to perform and interpret, as we have previously shown for DEA 1 13,19 and other DEA types 16 as well as Dal types.…”

“…In the mid‐1970s, a workshop committee of the International Society for Animal Blood Group Research (now known as International Society of Animal Genetics) assigned 7 blood groups with the dog erythrocyte antigen prefix dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) . Subsequently, additional blood groups have been discovered, with Dal being the most recent and important, but they have not received an official designation. Moreover, it is difficult to determine whether all of them are indeed new, because the original cells and typing antisera are no longer available.…”

Kai 1 and Kai 2: Characterization of these dog erythrocyte antigens by monoclonal antibodies

“…1 , DEA 4 and Dal , was found. As the polyclonal anti-Dal [23,24] and monoclonal anti-Kai reagents become more available for typing and recipients can be type-matched beyond the currently recommended DEA 1 , sensitization and transfusion reactions can be further avoided. In the meantime, the current recommendation of transfusing DEA 1- or DEA 1 matched blood at time of first transfusion initially and also crossmatch compatible blood for any subsequent transfusion (>4 days) may be extended to including typing for Kai dogs with incompatible crossmatch to find more readily compatible donors which had been also typed from Kai [18].…”