The Kell-Cellano (K-k) genetic system of human blood factors.

By PHILIP LEVINE, M.D., MILTON WIGOD, M.A., ABBY M. BACKER, M.D., AND RUTH PONDER, BA. A NEW agglutinable factor of human blood was recently discovered with the aid of an antibody, an agglutinin, which is remarkable for its high incidence of positive reactions, 99.8 per cent, in white individuals (U. S. A.). This antibody was found in a mother, Mrs. Cellano, whose infant had a mild form of hemolytic disease. Accordingly, the antibody will be referred to as ‘ ‘anti-Cellano’ ‘ and its corresponding agglutinogen as ‘ ‘Cellano.” A study of the family of an individual from among the o.i per cent Cellano negative group revealed the hereditary nature of the Cellano factor.* Of the eight children, three were Cellano negative. Since both parents were Cellano positive, they were presumed to be heterozygous. Assuming two allelic genes, one determining Cellano positive and the other Cellano negative, the following values for the three genotypes were derived:t