Transient LW-negative red blood cells and anti-LW in a patient with Hodgkin's disease.

LW-negative (LW4) red blood cells and anti-LW antibody were discovered in the blood of a 50-year-old white male with Hodgkin's disease and blood type O. Compatible red blood cells for transfusion could not be obtained because available LW-negative cells were either type A, LW4, or type O, LW3. Following cytotoxic therapy for his basic disease, the anti-LW disappeared and his red blood cells developed normal reactions with anti-LW sera.