Anti-γ Globulin Antibodies After Open Heart Surgery

Sera obtained from one hundred patients before and after open heart surgery and concomitant transfusion were tested for anti-γ globulin, antileukocyte, and antiplatelet antibodies. The sera of 34 patients contained anti-γ globulin antibodies of one or another variety for the first time after the operation. Of eight additional patients who were seropositive before the operation, seven developed anti-γ globulin antibodies of different specificity postoperatively. Gm-specific antibodies were detected after the operation in 14 patients, Gm antibodies of unknown specificity in nine, and anti-antibodies in 18. The anti-antibodies were of the Andressen type in 17 cases and of the Milgrom type in one. Leukoagglutinins were detected postoperatively in 33 patients, and platelet antibodies in three.

Possible explanations for the high incidence of anti-γ globulin antibodies found in this study include (1) the transfusion of many units of blood during a single surgical procedure, (2) an increase in the antigenicity of the gamma globulins due to aggregation or to changes in molecular configuration during extracorporeal circulation, and (3) an optimal interval between antigenic stimulation and collection of blood for testing.