Loss and reappearance of Rh(o)(D) antigen on the red blood cells of an individual with acute myelogenous leukemia

Complete loss of Rh(o)(D) antigen from red blood cells (RBCs) of individuals with hematologic disorders, though not frequent, has been reported. This case reports the loss of D antigen on the RBCs of a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia and its reappearance when he was in remission. Loss of D antigen expression coincided with worsening clinical and cytogenetic disease. At the time of D antigen loss, the patient also had cytogenetic abnormalities in the bone marrow cells. When he was in remission, the chromosomal abnormalities were no longer detectable, and his RBCs regained D antigen expression.