ASSESSMENT OF LEWIS BLOOD-GROUP ANTIGENS AND SECRETOR STATUS IN AUTOPSY SPECIMENS

The ability of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect Le wis and H antigens in secretions obtained from 280 autopsies was asses sed. The ELISA results were comPared with those for matched blood spec imens examined by agglutination of erythrocytes by monoclonal anti-Lew is(a) and anti-Lewis(b) antibodies. There was good agreement between t he results for the two tests and the ELISAs could be used to determine secretor status of the subject. While determination of ABO group with monoclonal anti-A and anti-B was possible even with lysed blood, the results for Lewis typing by erythrocyte agglutination were poor if the sample was lysed or partially lysed. Detection of the antigens by ELI SA was as efficient among elderly subjects as among younger ones and b oth H and Lewis antigens could be detected on erythrocytes and in secr etions up to 127 h after death.