The Matuhasi-Ogata phenomenon

An Australian colleague reports that her institution is treating a patient who on receiving dialysis and who has an anti-E and anti-Fy(a). To her knowledge, this patient has only been transfused with RBC donor unit that are E neg, Fy(a) neg, but when an eluate is performed on the patient's direct antiglobulin test positive red cells, anti-E and anti-Fy(a) are eluted from his red cells. The inquiring colleague has been made aware of the following references that address a phenomenon referred to as the Matuhasi-Ogata phenomenon, which has been reported to occur when red cells coated with a specific blood-group antibody take up a second blood-group antibody non-specifically. This phenomenon of unexpected antibodies in eluates may be due to non-specific uptake of IgG. What is the understanding and the experience at other institutions?

References:

• Further Observations on the Matuhasi-Ogata Phenomenon. Allen FH Jr, Issitt PD, Degnan TJ, Jackson VA, Reihart JK, Knowlin RJ, Adebahr ME. Vox Sang. 1969 Jan;16(1):47-56.
• Ogata Phenomenon Explaining the Unusual Specificity in Eluates from Coombs Positive Cells Sensitized by Autogenous Anti-I. Janet M. Svardal, J. Yarbro and E.J. Yunis. VOX SANGUINIS Volume 13, Issue 6, December 1967, Pages: 472-484.
• Matuhasi-Ogata Phenomenon Involving Anti-Ampicillin. C. A. Bell, H. Zwicker and M. Whitcomb. Transfusion. Volume 18, Issue 2, March-April 1978, Pages: 244-249.
• Non-specific binding of IgG to antibody-coated red cells. (The 'Matuhasi-Ogata phenomenon'). Bove JR, Holburn AM, Mollison PL.. Immunology. 1973 Nov;25(5):793-801.

The following comments have been submitted in response:

ADDENDA Oct. 26, 2010

1. A Transfusion Services Supervisor in Louisiana reports that it has been quite a few years since she has seen an example of this phenomena. In her experience, several patients used to exhibit it every time they performed an elution on their red cells. The unexpected antibody in the eluate was usually anti-E or -K. She adds: 'It was fun rattling off the term since everyone would assume I just made it up. I found this apparent nonspecific uptake of antibody best explained in Applied Blood Group Serology, Peter Issitt and David Anstee."

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