Excess HLA antigens after transfusion of sickle cell patient with AIDS.

A woman with sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease developed the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), possibly as the result of blood transfusions administered 4 years earlier. Three months after subsequent transfusions, she had excess HLA-A and DR antigens (triplets) on her circulating lymphocytes. Three of her first-degree relatives were HLA-typed, and none had excess antigens. Family studies also indicated that the patient had at least one HLA-A antigen that was probably not inherited. These findings suggest the possibility that transient hemopoietic engraftment can occur in transfused sickle cell patients with AIDS.