Antigens of the Kell blood group system on neutrophils and monocytes: their relation to chronic granulomatous disease.

KX, an antigen related to the Kell blood group system, is present in trace amounts on normal red cells and is strongly active on the neutrophils of all of 50 persons thus far tested. Normal circulating monocytes are now shown to also bear KX determinants. Absence of neutrophil KX has been associated with all of three previously tested patients with chronic granulomatous disease. In this study two male siblings with CGD also have been shown to have KX negative leukocytes, and white blood cells from their heterozygous mother were found to have a reduced competency to absorb anti-KX. Five CGD boys are known to lack KX; the probability of this occurring by chance is greater 10(-6).