First Vel-null alloimmunized blood donor identified in Uruguay

Martin Tucuna; Ma Antonieta Nuñez; Fernando Pontigo; Regina Cardoso; Taynara Vieira; Martin Gularte; Lorena Guigou; Vittina Gruosso; Lilia Lopez

doi:10.2478/immunohematology-2026-009

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First Vel-null alloimmunized blood donor identified in Uruguay

Immunohematology

Volume 42 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)

By: Martin Tucuna, Ma Antonieta Nuñez, Fernando Pontigo, Regina Cardoso, Taynara Vieira, Martin Gularte, Lorena Guigou, Vittina Gruosso and Lilia Lopez

Paid access

|Jul 2026

Abstract

A 52-year-old, first-time blood donor presented with panreactivity during routine antibody screening. Current serologic evaluation showed uniform 2+ reactivity by the gel-indirect antiglobulin test and the conventional tube low-ionic-strength saline–indirect antiglobulin test. The molecular analyses revealed a homozygous 17–base pair deletion spanning nucleotides 64–80 in exon 3 of SMIM1 (VEL*01N.01/VEL*01N.01), confirming the Vel-null phenotype. The antibody was identified as anti-Vel IgG3, reacting in tube testing, exclusively in the anti-human globulin phase. We present the first case of a Vel-null alloimmunized donor identified in Uruguay and describe the serologic, molecular, and functional characteristics of the associated antibody.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/immunohematology-2026-009 | Journal eISSN: 1930-3955 | Journal ISSN: 0894-203X

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Language: English

Page range: 48 - 51

Published on: Jul 23, 2026

Published by: American National Red Cross

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

high-prevalence antigen

Related subjects:

Medicine,

Clinical medicine,

Laboratory medicine

© 2026 Martin Tucuna, Ma Antonieta Nuñez, Fernando Pontigo, Regina Cardoso, Taynara Vieira, Martin Gularte, Lorena Guigou, Vittina Gruosso, Lilia Lopez, published by American National Red Cross
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons License.

Volume 42 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)