Erythroagglutination Reactions in Cancer, Tuberculosis and Pregnancy

A modified anti-human serum erythroagglutination reaction was found to be positive in 48 of 52 cancer patients. Reactions of 13 of 46 pregnant patients, 10 of 35 postpartem patients and 20 of 42 patients with tuberculosis were also positive. Four of 104 random non-cancer patients showed positive tests, but these four patients also exhibited a positive Coombs test or spontaneous autoagglutination in albumin. It has been suggested that the erythrocytes of these patients may be coated by some material of undetermined origin, presumably a globulin and possibly an antibody, which usually escapes detection by the standard Coombs test. This sensitization may be a significant factor in the hemolytic process of patients with malignant or chronic inflammatory states.