Blood Group Discrepancy in a Case of Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Case Report

An individual’s blood group is unique, determined by the presence of A, B and H carbohydrates antigens on the surface of Red Blood Cells. Although rare, an alteration in an individual’s blood group may occur by changes in genes coding for transferases which may lead to loss of expression of RBC antigens or Rh antigen. This may lead to a blood group discrepancy where the results of the forward blood grouping and reverse grouping do not match. Here, we present a case of a 70-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (CHL), had received multiple blood transfusions and chemotherapy elsewhere. He was advised blood transfusion since his haemoglobin was low, however a blood group discrepancy was found between the forward and reverse grouping. Further sampling, followed by incubation at 37°C and 4°C was done to determine the blood group; however the blood group could not be determined. Later, the blood group was determined using the gel card method and he was transfused with two units of B+ packed red cells. Since, transfusion of blood and blood products forms an essential component of treatment of patients with haematological and solid malignancies. It is essential for clinicians, laboratory physicians, laboratory technicians, and staff at a blood bank to be aware of the possibility of blood group alteration and all cases of discrepancy must be documented to prevent delay in transfusion and treatment.